Tsunami's Radiance

by Gaian Knight

The start of the aftermath...

3. A2 - Focus of the Wind

Tsunami's Radiance

Volume I

Act II - Focus of the Wind

... ... ...

"Thank you." Aleaic says, as he purchases a copy, of a sword fighting magazine. 'Blades of Warriors.', as he pays up 1500 Yen for the article, quipping to himself... "Wonder what I missed out on, since this issue is late reading now. Hmm..." ...said as he thumbs through the magazine, doing a quick read over, of various martial styles, concerning the blade, as its primary form of use. Aleaic had to admit, ever since the days at the Orphanage, when he was sent to a local Dojo, thrice a week, (and a fourth because Al was a geek about this. Weirdo...) he learned to enjoy the discipline that the blade brought. Even if primarily in boken form. (Bruises can be nasty too. Near hemorrhages sometimes.)

Thinking of that, he then looks over at right arm, where the bare telltale traces of a long healed up scar, begotten when Aleaic was nine years old, with an actual katana, rather than the boken he was supposed to be training with, learned him a lesson of why discipline was required of any blade wielder. (Or any weapon on Earth, for that matter.)

And the thought of the blood, his own, spilled that day, still makes him shake his head clear in shiver. "Ick. Blood." ...and he goes back reading, for a moment, before he stops, and shivers again. He then reflexively 'swats' at his right shoulder, with left hand. "Dang bugs." ...he thinks, honestly not knowing any better, of the two sets of 'eyes' looking over his shoulder, as he read again for a moment.

"He's sensing with attunement, more and more." Tsunami, ever Astral at present, just looks over, as Tokimi looks of a peeved look, given she was the one over the right shoulder, that was slapped at. "I should slap him over the horizon, into the ocean unseen."

Tsui just laughs.

Aleaic reflexively shivers, thinking it the cool air, then closes the mag, and heads off where he came, as he notes on above. Afar, the green hills rising more into mountainous terrain again, as a southwestern heading, is passing him through a urban area, where the magazine shoppe was, and hence the unexpected find, that slowed Aleaic down.

He just smiles. "Looks like a perfect day. If still cool. Dang cooling trend." ...as he walks on, 'accompaniment' floating about him unseen, literally 'all' around him. He even feels something go 'through' him occasionally, making Aleaic scratch at himself, at various parts of his body, without realizing it.

The reason:

...he walks through her right arm, at the neck.

...the same of his feet, at the shins, with her extended 'tripping' legs.

...through his scalp, with her... um... breastplate... area...

...a 'sensation' of his upper chest, and back, when he's glommed upon, at the rear.

...his face, at the lips, when hers... eep!

...even his entire body, all at once, from a frontal 'hug' lung!

A few passersby keep noting, at places, where this happens, as Al just ends up, especially at the 'last' denoted point, as he just RUBS at his body, rather furiously! "By Gawd-Kami! What the heck is with my Body?!" ...bloodshot, whacked out eyes, to comical boot.

As he makes motions that make a few said passersby, run for sake of decency, even one driver in a car, that suddenly anime SCREECHES away, all the same, Tokimi just rolls her eyes, as it's clear (to her,) what Tsunami is doing, to the poor bloke. "You'll disrupt his Astral Pattern, at this rate Sister."

"At least he's not bored." Tsui giggles out, as Aleaic blushes of terrible embarrassment, of his bodily actions, before the sight of others. So much so, he just BOLTS for a good klik, to get away, from the phantom menace, assailing his confused senses. If only Tsui would allow such a leisure, of mere distance. This as her emotions are outright all but uncontained! The only reason, at that, she isn't all over him, in a most visible fashion...

": Gotta get those Bio-function readings right here, lover girl. :" ...an equally unseen holoscreen pops up, beside a giddy as heck, Juraian goddess. Tokimi just takes over all semblance of sane thought here, as Aleaic keeps walking on, never seeing the trio iota, keeping up with him easily. "Our Sister has gone off the Singularity Horizon. I hope you are within your merits of clear thought, at the very least."

": You should try to be in love sometime, Toki-Sis. :" ...Washu's image cracks back, Tenchi obviously on her spiky crowned mind there. Tokimi just goes blush-chibi and snaps... "Status, Little Sister!"

Washu just blushes, holding at her cheeks suddenly, in the holo-image. ": Aww, you called me Little. First time so openly! :"

How the planet didn't just... die, right there and then. ( #3,567 at that, but who's counting.)

Washu... ": Me for one, author-dope! Oh, and Sasami is up and as cheerful as I've ever seen her here. And the Formatting process, is back up to speed. The tube apparatus, that Tsunami sundered by the by. She needs to get back here for the next stage. :"

Tokimi pucks her lips, and looks over at the sight of Astral-Tsui, just cutely poking at various places at Aleaic's poor format. So much so, he's anime rubbing-reacting, all the while, looking all which way, for whatever is causing it! Even at places that... wait, ratings problems there. "I'll see if I can peel her auspice away, from her trysts."

": Just be gentile with her, she... that isn't being gentile Toki. :" ...as Astral-Tokimi just yanks Astral-Tsui away from Al, comically, Tsui waggling and flailing manically... "Come along Sister... we, ERGH... have to... YERGH... steal away from... COMMON ALREADY!" ... "NAY! I have to mess around with my piece of Soul-meat! Lemme back at him! Lemme back..." ...this before Tokimi manages to BEAR haul Tsunami away, via Astral Teleport, as a 'bit' of a form of 'attachment narcosis', becomes of someone now absent.

Just how is the planet, still here?

Aleaic, thankfully not seeing any of this, as he resurrects a form of civility again, also doesn't see, as Washu's invisible holo-image, just 'looks' to her left, as the Wrestle-Goddess-mania, or something, continues, before then looking back, with a 'look' at the subject mortal, near 'her'.

": Heh. Guess you're going on a heck, of a ride there kid. :" ...image-Washu teases out. Aleaic for his unwilling part, just blurts out... "No kidding." ...to nothing at all. This before Al blinks, and looks around again, in honest confusion. The 'nothing', just blinks for her own part, Washu... ": Hmm. Interesting. :" ...before her holo-image, snaps off. After, Aleaic just 'thinks' he senses something, and with a moment alone, in the cool morning atmosphere, a hand at the back of his shaggy mane, his features chisel in the off kilter.

"What... is going on?" ...this as the fleeting edges of his subconscious, begin linking more and more, with the logic train, that eventually leads to realization. One that doesn't have enough 'tracks' to go on, nor the 'engine block', with enough 'speed' to it, anyway. Such that Aleaic would think readily of himself, if bothered to think of such equitable terminology. Instead, his thoughts turn unto the sky above him, still gray and patchy, broken peeks at a pale blue Spring sky, of early note still. And this he then turns to his known target area, the morning pall, casting dusk shades, over the rising hills, past the edge of Okayama, flittered past more broken patches of residences, where city begins to turn into countryside. Somewhere in there... "The... Shrine. Y... yeah." ...this he just goes with.

Steps begin (stuttered), towards the remaining seven something kilometers to go. A stretch that would take much of the early day to even close in on. Needs of hunger and biological, meshed with a good drenching avoidance again, under a bus bench overhang, and dodging various 'obstacles'. Nippon Boy Scout akin moments too. Nevermind one interceding 'preparatory' moment, inclusive.

The early part of it all, at least watched.

... ...

-An eye, high above.-

Directly above where Tenchi worked his fields, replete help, along with. This as her utterly enhanced eyes, note the all too close focus of late, taking those fateful steps, ever closer. "Not that I care for it." ...a said space pirate grumbles. Her own memories of the various 'anew' visitations unto the Misaki hold, a mixed bag, at best. The one that Mayuka arrived of, far more unannounced in comparison, Ryoko felt equal ken to 'attach' to this approaching Aleaic.

"What a dumb name, even." ...this she hovers, arms folded, in her usual relaxed attire of imagination choice.

She also has ear on below, as Tenchi, motherly Kiyone with said better loved Mayuka on motherly back, Noike, and Tennyo, tended the gardens that sustained them readily. This as long as Ryo-ohki nearby, toddler format today, didn't get at them. Noike was ever assured of that detail. Talk mainly of the fields of labor, the battle of prior note, the fact Yosho was really hammering at Tenchi, in sword practice now, and then back to the source of Ryoko's nigh eternal consternation, of incoming note.

"She don't need 'that' thing." Ryoko just crass judges out.

"You being you again, Ryoko?" ...another most unwanted voice, joins Ryoko's vigil. One Ryoko chides at... "I already did my chores, like I promised. Don't push me today, on it."

"For once." Ayeka relents of multi-subject, as she too sees, where Ryoko does. A moment where two rivals just share in mutual uncertainty. The sight too clarion, to her empowered vision. "Such a quandary, this one is causing."

"He'll be a pain. I can tell."

Ayeka eyes over, her Juraian battle armor suit, her aid for her floating with Ryoko, not as so of the mind, that senses something, on its own. "You know something?"

"Not sure."

Ayeka just anime exhales. "Ever one to be so cryptic."

"Ever one to act, just like I do."

Ayeka just fumes in comical turn. However Ryoko's facade, doesn't change one enhanced skin cell, out of her facade, emplacement of stoic. Ayeka really then senses. "What did you see."

": Indeed. :"

Ayeka at least freaks, well enough. "Oh dear."

And Ryoko didn't care for what happened next, as Noike looks 'up', and feels as well. "Oh mother." ...this the remainder of the Tenchi crew, jolting a gaze at her. Worse when... ": What did you say? :" ...as Seto's holo image pops up next to a... "AHH! Nothing Seto! Nothing at all!" ...freaking the adopted daughter! Seto just smirks, as Tenchi hops over... "Let's tend carrots this way!" ...save the day?

Seto's image shakes her head (and image,) and then snaps off. This to focus on...

... ...

A literal glistening 'atom', of all shape to format, that a GP Captain, lain mind to familiar of eye, unto. Even here, out to a million kilometers away, on Jump arrival. This all knowing, the sight was a three ring setup, of all akin Ringworlds, enclosed of all internal, habitable zones and structures familiar.

"And we're home girls." ...this Senia announces, petting a mewing Fuku in his lap, looking up, as much as the crew present rest, at... "Been awhile since we saw Academy Headquarters." ...Amane remarks. Airi nods. "Yes. This since GP HQ is now..." ...this she blinks, and says not of the 'changed' timeline. This as GP Headquarters, was now a 'complex' of an entire Star System, all on its own. All but it's own star nation even, as in all actuality, the sight before them, was within System GP-06982.L. Territory of the Kuramitsu Family (Seniwa Republic, to be sure,) as a family 'franchise' kept its peacekeeping vigil of the galaxy. (Where able.) It also became the site of a Juraian cooperative training academy, as well as a contracted test zone for the Galactic Science Academy, all since the events of the Kagato Incident. The conduct of after the matter, lent to unexpected cooperation, between Jurai and the Galactic Police force. (More like galactic, given the mutual Local Galactic Group territory, being mutually patrolled. The new time line Airi remembered, had 'other' as yet, unsaid reasons why, for this arrangement.)

But no matter, as far as Senia noted, as he quipped. "Oh, and guess we get all our back pay too." ...this he just comments, off old habit. The sight he notes then, is of comical amounts of greed laden eyes, from Amane and Ryoko (Balouta.) Karen just rolls her eyes. "Yeah, GP mercenaries, indeed."

"The Captain is right." Kiriko just jumps (quite) needlessly, to defend... "One should enjoy the rewards of what we do."

"Unless my parents got to it all." Senia warbles, making for a few more than knowing semi-giggles. However to the Ryoko rescue. "Your pay is far too much to just allow, to be splashed around, back on Earth." ...this Senia chuckles at. Not so much when Airi adds in, with a flitted hand to pouty facial boot. "Besides. With that fashion sense, on that backwater, paying so much for any of it, the GP Accounting Department, wouldn't even bother to allow. Tacky really." ...which Senia just haltedly chuckles at. Worse when the gals all around, save Kiriko, just start gabbing of 'better' galactic fashion wear, in accent to Airi.

Kiriko just meekly tones out. "Um... we might sound a bit snobby there." ...Senia accenting of... "Are my parents, that bad?"

Further converse of such, is cut off by another, as a holoscreen pops up suddenly. "AH! Admiral Mikami!" ...a mix of GP and Renzan members yelp. However Senia notes... "Uh oh." ...as the screen is right in front of a sweating Airi. ": Administrator. :"

"Yeah, so what." Airi actually says, knowing she was caught. Sure made Senia blink. Mikami just smirks, and then 'turns' her screen, to properly address. ": Captain. Your command is requested to be in presence, in Airi's office, as soon as possible. :"

Senia blinks. Also a bit stiffly in posture... "Why Admiral? Is something wrong?"

": Not on open comm-lines. :" ...which made the crew pensive. Senia just nods. "We'll be there soon, Admiral." ...such Mikami's image snaps off.

"Huh. Wonder what that was about?" ...a sudden new voice addition remarks. This making the female crew smile weirdly, this as Senia looks up, on seeing... "Oh, hello Mitoto! Been awhile!" ...and feeling his hair being rubbed again. This as the mother of Mihoshi, mop/boom ever in hand, just smiles contently. "Ohh, still soft. -hehe-" (Again.)

Neiju just sighs baldly. "Still don't know how she gets onto ships, in open space." ...as much as Suiren eyes off kilter. "Not sure why, I'm not as jealous of that, as I should feel."

"As long as she doesn't try that with Tenchi." Kiriko just snickers out. The mutual chorus of the same, all knew what that meant. Senia just chuckles uneasily, as Airi just smirks out. "Girls, if you'd handle docking procedures."

"Right!" ...eight competing crew voices, snap too. It just leaves Senia to Mitoto's 'handiwork'.

...

"Right!" ...Senia then leads the crew, as they walk down the gantry ramp. This the below waiting maintenance crew 'honor guard', stand at salute. This as Minami himself, led the procession. Senia sees and hears. "Welcome home, Captain."

Senia reciprocates. "Thank you sir!" ...as he in turn salutes, and promptly somehow clips the gantry railing, at a point where a loose bolt, flies off from it. "Eh?"

"Uh oh." ...a quick procession of 'bad luck' knowing better of wary, see the bolt arc over, and land 'just' right, onto a parasteel bolt gun. It fires, and the sent off larger bolt, just hits the Kamidake II 'just' right...

-ZARCHK!-

...and causes Kamidake II, to fire off its main cannon! A 'few'...er... all, wide eyed, as somehow, no one for six sectors around the blast zone, got hurt. At least not until worry of the emergency fire suppression system, began FLOODING the area, with water. At least it wasn't Halon, or other suppression methods. Seal Gel, woulda been worse. This all, as in mere seconds, an ocean is about made, of the docking bay.

And before they are flooded past their heads, Senia just whimpers, as all at fem once behind him... "Yup. It's good to be home." ...and are wallowed under.

... ...

Seto just snickers, more than knowing. "Keeps them on their toes." ...said with a wave of her bento fan, like a wand.

"Oh dear." ...a Crown Princess warbles in tune, as Minaho looks aghast, at the screen (GP based) display above. One of several active, where decidedly warranted.

"At least the repair crews will be practiced again. They've been slacking." ...Kanemitsu remarks. Seto just shrugs, waiting for a more proper moment for what she had in mind next. Prior, here, was what Ayeka was here for. Moreso of a less than pleased looking Ryoko, looking anywhere, than towards Seto.

"Problem 'Little Ryoko'?" ...Seto teases, actually rather genuine, rather than derisive, of such. Ryoko though, takes it of either way, the same nominal way. "More than."

Minaho, Kanemitsu, and a HOST of unseen guards, tense up, as Seto just eyes the space pirate of legend. "I see we'll not be sitting down for tea, this day."

Ryoko actually blurts in, to Ayeka's bare teeth dismay. "You couldn't get me drunk on enough Shinju, to get my mood up, Princess."

The normal tit-for-tat, Ayeka would've relied with, was well reigned in here, as Seto just shrugged. "Too bad. After that incident with Choubimaru, I'd thought we'd be closer, as compatriots, at least."

Ryoko just eyed warily, at the infamous Devil Princess, that all pirates feared all rightfully, and... "No." ...looked away.

Another shrug. "At least give all your hate for me, as all love for Tenchi, do so please." Seto eggs in, Ryoko really looking aghast at Seto in turn! "Why you!"

"Ryoko!" Ayeka stabbed in, equal parts chide, the rest fear! It 'was' just enough, to make Ryoko change tact... "Why the hell am I here?" ...this Seto took well enough. "You saw 'him', as well as I." ...this Ryoko readily knowing the new subject, at hand. "He's not worth it."

"Liar." Seto directed of measure. Ayeka, heck the rest on the throne deck, eyed over warily, as Ryoko looked back over, and then in turn, to a holoscreen, that showed a stumbling along shmoo, (one that used street crossings properly,) of focused choshin note. Ryoko... "I sensed it. Not sure exactly, of what."

"Enough for the attack, we saw prevented." ...this Ryoko and Ayeka blink over, as Minaho objects...! "My Lady! We're not sure, what that was! Even if..."

"Tokimi isn't that half bad." ...came from a more than knowing Ryoko, next. Seto nodded. Ayeka for her part. "Apologies grandmother..." ...which earns a cocked eye from Seto, an expression worse than what Misaki usually did, with her own essential same! Ayeka, eye twittering... "...ah... ah, Lady Seto. But... what be of all of this?" ...the Crown Princess recovers better with. Seto considers.

...and then shows, on a separate holo-monitor. Ayeka, for one, felt dead inside. "Too... close..."

"Someone out there, knows better than we, of all occurring." Seto comments, to Ryoko primarily. Ryoko thinks, and then another look at the shmoo, of displayed note. "That'd be crazy. Real crazy."

"No words to command from me. Only a request." ...Seto asks of Ryoko, of one, sure taken aback finally. Ayeka just glowers of numb mind, as Ryoko... "Y... yeah?"

"Keep an eye on him. The one my friend finds open love in." ...all eyes turn to the shmoo again, approaching a familiar school ground of family note. This Seto relates... "To my instincts, let's see this one through. What may come of it, just protect long enough, to come hence, and all to see."

"And if you are wrong?" Ryoko grinded in challenge. Seto just shrugs again. "Then dust, we all may become. Or nothing at all. But how is that different, from all that transpired, that led to Tsunami's assertions. Such, I find little to fear of, if rather of boredom instead."

"What about Utsutsumi?" ...Ryoko pegged in, this time garnering a aback pause, from Seto. Minaho just muttered final prayers, under her breath, before Seto... "Touché. Prove me wrong then, for both our Love's sakes."

Ryoko just eyes, and then... slumps... "Maaan... I feel old, all of a sudden."

"Your age, finally catching up with you, geriatric?" ...Ayeka barbs in, and a more nominal Ryoko-esc snap-too... "Had to keep in a cryo-tube for seven hundred, to keep your homely looks!"

Minaho and Kanemitsu just gaff, in dismay, at the short lived eye-bolt... and then plain bolts, tirade, that breaks out. Seto just flicks her fan open, and chuckles. "That's more like it." ...as shredded sparks and debris flick by.

"Oh." Minaho suddenly quips, not stopping the slobber-knocker just yet, but doing so with... "Isn't that the school, Sasami goes to?" ...as all eyes look now, at the appropriate holo-screen. This as a shmoo, reaches in sight of said familiar place of family. Even Ryoko and Ayeka stop to look, Ryoko even growling in. "He better not hurt her somehow, just being near her!" ...worried about an unsaid 'aura' of reason note, for all of this. Seto smiles, knowing Ryoko's heart, is quite pure.

Ayeka though... "Of course he won't, laser brain! He doesn't even know her!"

On what they see next however, in succession, amends for Minaho to blandly quip... "Weirdo."

... ...

Aleaic just goofy-happy skipped the last meter of the next traffic stop he crossed, making a driver in the car, waiting at the traffic light, to shake his head. Aleaic's sight after however, was eyeing the sight of... "Heh. Nice school." ...as he continues his nominal jaunt by. Doing so, reminds him of his home schooling, back at the Orphanage. He never begot similar circumstances, since for some unsaid reason, back in Nekomi, kids without parents, didn't get to go to school like this. (Or at least, so Aleaic was told, at a young age.) Not that it saved him from some serious tutoring, from his Nanny, and some part time teacher help, from the local school, and even a professor or two, from N.I.T., itself. Almost turned out to be a better education, overall, given the lack of the usual school room 'structure', that came from underpaid teachers, unfocused (sorta) class instruction, and school cafeteria food, that tasted too much like fish paste, reconstituted, at times. (At least that, was what Aleaic was told, from a kid that went to the local school, one time.)

Aleaic had stopped, reminiscing as such, holding at the A.L.I.C.E. straps of his journey gear, quipping to himself. "Good thing Nanny was an awesome cook." ...this before his tummy grumbles, out of the warming air blue. Al just eyes down at... "You're not helping." ...a soon quiet nuff tummy.

The next iota to eye, Al sees, is... "A bit cool for P.E., tain't it?" ...as to vision, the school playground, was being utilized for an outdoor activity today. Aleaic eyes warily on details of boys and girls in gym attire, the lot looking in their preteens, developing readily, several teachers around in teacher gym attire, holding white balls, three of them, by count.

"Hope they're doing volleyball, and not dodge ball." ...Al says from painful experience. Taking a dodge ball to the face... well... somehow being knocked out, didn't affect memory loss. Zilch at that. Nanny didn't have her orphans, hold back much. A good Band-Aid applier, she was as well, replete. This Al chuckles memory unto. (Nor the 'monkey blood' on glass stuff, for cuts. Jeeze.) As such his chuckle stops.

And then he blinks and notes an oddity. Somewhere in the crowd of youngins, he sees a pair of pink eyes, looking back at him. The odd sight of blue... light blue? ...bound pony-tails at both sides, of a crown of cute set locks, and a youthful, open look of curiosity upon it. Al gulp-sees, and sees the gym clad lass... wave... back... at him?

Takes a moment for Aleaic to realize, he's the one waving at, for him to comically snap-drop his hand and snicker... "Great... I'll get myself arrested." ...this as he trails a look dead at the eyes of a female teacher, that sees him. Al, chuckling teardroppingly... "Y... yeah... going to jail now."

And is then saved by... "Meeeow."

"Meow?" Al blinks, and looks down, in time to see a black cat, crossing his path, rubbing at his legs affectionately. (Might as well be the same.) Al just chuckles, and... "Ah... meow." ...and leans to kneel down to let the kitty sniff at his hand, rub at it, and then around him, back and forth-esc. An expert cat petter, Al kneads, soft claws and scritches the kitten, just right. The ears of most liked note. At the tail, at points, only, playfully.

"Eeyup. You're evil." Al quips at the purring creature.

...which garners... "Awwwww." ...to Al's quick in looking dismay, as more than a few of the nearby female students, (and a couple of teachers, even one so-called, tough lookin, anime tear streaming, male version,) just coo at the sight. Aleaic just warbles through his teeth... "Great. Why is it always with cats?" ...this before he hears to look, off his kneeled left... "Snickerdoodle! Oh Snickerdoodle! Oh... ah!" ...as Aleaic sees a random female, looking towards him now, off afar, at the other end of the school sidewalk. Al puts the cat algebra together, and realizes, at the really friendly kitty now. "Snickerdoodle? A cookie cat, I guess." ...as he rises, tries to take a step, NEARLY gets tripped over by the kitten, and promptly instead, hefts the cat up, in hand, looks over with an embarrassed smile, and then walks to the owner lass with... "I think your cat was trying to Adopt me!" ...with some crowd induced giggles, before sight is then lost.

"Okay kids. Show's over." ...the prior noted teacher calls out, the students returning to mulling with each other, before Dodgeball, was to begin. (It'd get ugly soon.)

"Was that him?" ...a voice next to Sasami, asks. Sasami nods. "Yeah." ...she says, rather hollowly. This as she looks over at... "That's him alright Mirei."

"Okay." ...two more voices quip, as Yugi and Misao (Amano... aye, ye read right.) eye where Aleaic left out of sight. This as they all knew, what was going on. Course, knowing, and understanding, where two different things. The latter, of subject current, they left to their nominal group leader, as the foursome saw themselves. Of Sasami's group, Yugi, formerly the same pseudo-Juraian of mutant power, and decried loneliness. This time, given a better chance, as the sister of Misao, (and of Sakuya. Aye her too, more on her later,) as a part of a large, quite happy, musical family. As for Mirei, her fate changed from a ghost of the Sargasso, to one where she was a lone survivor somehow, of the same derelict cruise vessel, the Tenchi crew came across, during the Second Kagato Incident. Mirei had a penchant for telekinesis/telephotonetic abilities, physic as well as image impression, of real ocular note, of like what Sasami saw, when she was regaled with that short lived fantasy world, until the Tenchi gang found them. Mirei was only saved from Ryoko protective impulse oblivion, by Sasami leaping to Mirei's defense!

A good thing too, as it turned out, Mirei, this time around, provided a key clue, as how to get past the initial Jurai defense grid layer (after the Juraian fleet, that Nagi/Ken-Ohki, and Yagami helped peel off, from Ryo-ohki's tail crystal-vane,) by fooling the grid, with a psychic-photonetic display of a 'fake' Ryo-ohki, while the Tenchi gals, took out the central orbital ring, defense station, allowing Tenchi's assault crew, to get past. It didn't save Ryo-ohki from the lower level defenses, the damage to Ryo, 'and' a wounded Ryoko, at the time, about biting it, for them both, in their love, to see Tenchi through, to accomplish the victory, over Kagato, and the Jurai Royal Family, pretty much all inclusive. (An event not even Seto, was spared from. Hence a tacid feather, linked to what was all going on now.)

Of reward, Mirei was adopted into Seto's ever kind clutches, and 'adopted' by another in place, Jurai security unit, of a pair that treated Mirei as an honest to goddess, very loved daughter. And hence her place now, at Sasami's side here, at that waiting moment of ball dodging, (and worse,) as she comments. "Seems like a nice guy."

"You feeling okay?" Yugi asks over, Sasami sighing a bit, the others looking over. Sas: "It's... different, being this way now. I'll be fine." ...she puts forth, her nominal self, better than yesterday. The amazing feelings part, mixed with some leftover strain, slowly fading away. To be sure, it wasn't just her, unto this. And to be sure, as it was overhead, the change in subject of focus, then causes comical bemusement, as in hearing note, a strange hairstyle kempt boy leans over, as Tadashi (yup, him... er... her, there too, still on disguised royal guard, hidden lady-in-waiting duty,) quips. "Does that mean, you will take it easy, on us today?"

The sly... er... evil really, smirk Sasami makes with, gives off a good shiver, as her, and her group, all sport such 'giddy' smiles of... er, it's not safe looking. Nor when Sasami raises her right hand, to catch a thrown dodge ball, without even looking. The 'heh heh' part, just accents it to the 'worse' part, aforementioned!

The boys all warble-freak, as Mirei just ask 'kindly'. "If you'd all take your turn, at the wall, if you would please again boys."

Yup, ugly time resumes. (If the boys would ever learn to catch. Or the girls stop throwing so hard.)

... ...

A chuckle, a bento fan, tapping her lips... "She takes after me."

Ayeka, smiling... "That's my little Sister." ...Ryoko... "She's a terror." ...glowering, as much the former is of glee.

"Annoying soul." ...this Seto for one, eyes direly at, before she sees where Kanemitsu, lain the conjecture at, this as the separate viewer, tracks Aleaic's unknowing progress. This as he's seen, on above of above, handing the 'offending' kitten, back to its rather cute owner. Seto sees and smirks. "Like he'd be naturally any less." ...commenting in, actually unneeded here. This as sight turns to apparently Aleaic trying to avoid being shanghaied into another 'delay' in his journey, and failing, as the female of long, dark hair, snares him in, for a short (maybe?) excursion, of talk and snacks.

Seto though, a master at the 'games' she plays, hazards out on seeing. "Too nice, to see the web lain out, under him."

"Told yah, this was a waste of time." Ryoko judges rashly. Ayeka nodding in annoyed accent.

Minaho however... "Um... she won't kill her, will she?"

Seto just snickers, and flicks her fan in needless flair.

... ...

...as not even two minutes later. "Sorry about this!" ...as the lass Aleaic heard from, one as he was about to sit down for his 'snack reward', was now watching the cute, late twenty's something lass, run off across the street, to reach the same school he passed by. This as he quip yells... "Teach the kids well." ...as such, before he then turns around, not quite so stupid, of what nearly coulda happened. "More than lime cookies, and lemonade, to be had in there." ...as he anime skedaddles off.

Thank goddesses for phone calls, though maybe not as so, for the teacher being replaced, (long flu like story there,) hence the substitute that is now no longer seen. Nor ever again, if an Astral watching Tsunami, has her ratherdemon-esc eyes of anime jealousy way, trading back and forth, between target mortal, and the unseen interloping one.

"Washu isn't happy again, you left your tube." ...this Tokimi fades into view, Astral of note, commenting of exasperation. "Not that I can ever truly tell, if Washu is sane enough, for such emotions."

"Of ALL the impudence of Fate!" ...Tsunami comically seethes. This Tokimi actually remarks out, arms or lavender, all folded. "Such would not be her fault. That goddess, is charged unto a Intracellic Knight, as all that currently stands."

"You know my inference." ...Tsui just bemoans, Tokimi eyeing the looking back once mortal, before Al turns back around, and resets himself, to progress forward, towards another incoming storm, as it later turns out, as above. To more than one version of providence, at that.

"I question how pure, your intentions are." ...is Toki's direct tact. Tsunami combats with in sorta-pouty turn... "No less, or more, than your own, once. The experiments their own accord of the touchy. This one, I assure will have more magnanimous results, for all around."

"And possibly as destructive, in the end." ...Tokimi, knowing her own lessons well. The experiments, more than equal to universal war crimes, if not for the results seeked, in the end. (Nevermind the repaired timeline of current.) How Tsunami responds, in turn, raises Tokimi's interest, in the whole ordeal incumbent. "That may be the one miracle, to come from my intentions, all may truly find fruit in. The prevention of such, beyond even our own ken."

"Why the Powers would even 'bother', with this Dimension..." ...this Tsunami hears from Toki, Right and prior to... ": Will you get back here, for imaging diagnostics already Sis! :" ...Washu's holo-image popping into Astral view again. Tsunami actually winces. "But I was worried."

": Uhuh. At this rate, you'll end up destabilizing yourself to the Third Dimension. You'll be unable to maintain format, without damage to Terra, at the dang nabbit least. Nevermind having to be stuck in tree format, for all eternity. Is that what you want, girl? :"

"Nooo." ...Tsui blandly relents, as Tokimi rolls her eyes. Washu's image just snickers... ": And here, we all thought you were just a kind, benevolent spirit, attached to a young lady, all the readers wanted to marry. What a switch. :"

"Better than you, Sister, that makes mortals, scream away in terror." Tokimi cracks back to 'Washu'. And of course... ": Better than one that razed civilizations, as a chaotic chess game. :" ...and somehow Existence is kept in (barely) held check. Washu ignores Toki, and prods... ": Common gal. When he gets here soon, you'll be able to gawk at him, all you want, in-between sessions. (And there will be a lot of them. What a doozy.) :"

"Oh, ooookkkaaayyy..." ...Tsui relents in dragging out. (Not unlike a kid having to take an ill wanted bath.) She then phases back whence she came, like a good lil goddess. Tokimi meanwhile just chuckles in... "The author sure has Sister pegged. -snort-"

Washu, of dry remarking note... ": He's writing about you too, you know. Don't make the readers mad. :"

A grumbling Tokimi, just phases out of Astral sight, Washu along with. ( -Note: And this author needs a Will made out.- )

... ...

"Ah. And now we finally get to it." Seto remarks. Ryoko and Ayeka still present, as along with the others. This as she activates a GP directed holo-imager transmission. Ayeka asks... "What are you doing, Lady Seto, if I may ask?"

"Sending my pet project, on a special errand. Especially with what else happened, recently enough."

"We should get back to Tenchi." Ryoko injects, about fed up with being on the Mikagami. Seto however waggles her fan to dissuade with. Oh do please, stay long enough for this. This since Traquis is involved. You whom fought them, should know, as well."

It got Ryoko's interest. Ayeka sure wasn't moving. Minaho then cups a hand to her right ear, denoting the obvious. "Admiral Mikami is ready as well. And.. er.. Airi..."

Seto 'sees' as well. "...water logged, the rest as well. How charming." ...she puts in for her own amusement.

"Just don't bring that kind of luck here." Ayeka quips, Ryoko snickering at the inference. A few nods, all about, save Seto's, accents. This before she commands. "Time to turn the page."

... ...

-Airi's private ship/Academy office-

"I see you had a nice swim." ...Admiral Mikami comments, as Ari sloshes over to her desk. Strange to have a face, as dry of look, as well as bloated. Airi just thumbs over at... "Blame him."

And the sight of the Kamidake II crew, rather water logged, water still fountain-esc pouring from Senia's ears, as he just bows on usual character of.. "I'm so sorry! Really I am!"

Mikami just smiles, as if nothing was amiss. "Worry not of it. I heard the docking bay, was due for a wash down."

"If that, is how to put that all." Amane quips past her dripping locks, smirking at a barely holding it together, chuckling of embarrassment Captain.

"Oh dear." Neiju and Gyokuren both quip, as eyes then turn to a laden Administrators desk. This as... "And I see work doesn't stop, without me." ...eyes looking back and forth, as Mikami quips. "That's what you get, for playing hooky."

"And I'll be doing it again, I assure you." Airi comments contentedly, all the while she is wringing out her dress jacket. Doing so, 'reveals' a bit too much of her drenched undershirt, as such, Senia looks away from, with a blush.

Mikami then looks over to... "Congratulations on the success of the Renzan operation, Captain. Renzan sends their compliments. You are to be commended."

Senia as per responding norms... "Don't just thank me. I had a great crew, for all of that! I even put in what they did, during all of that, in my report!" ...this Mikami nods to, Airi looking over with a satisfied smirk.

And the 'crew' behind him, sighing rather contentedly, in loving tune. A Fuku 'meow' accents atop his right shoulder. Senia just blushes again, hand behind his soppy hair of head. Kiriko then 'nudges' to Senia... "Captain."

"Oh, right! You said you needed to see us Admiral?"

": Indeed she did. :" ...next comes from the 'third' party, to the room. Ryoko (Balta) blinks: "Lady Seto!" ...this as a formal three dimensional projection, of color and sound, makes as if a Devil Princess, was in physical presence, to the right of the laden desk.

"Again?" Amane cracks, before being bonked on the head by Karen! "Hey! Be respectful!"

A 'slight' hair tussle breaks out, before Senia asks too openly... "Is this about..." ...which Seto then puts a finger to her lips, Senia then hearing... ": No, Senia-san. Another matter, this all is, instead. :" ...making for more than a few blinking eyes, in the room. Given this is the first time in forever that Senia was ever addressed by Seto, with an actual honorific, lent to the dire import noted. Senia... "I... see."

Seto quickly redirects artfully, with a shake of her head at... ": Decorum, please, Administrator Airi Masaki. Even over a secure holo-channel, you should be mindful, of your 'display', before the Captain. :"

Mikami just 'coughs', as Airi 'and' Senia, look down at...

Beet red blushes like that, don't come from just 'nothing'. "Ah... ah... ah...!" Senia 'notes', before SPINNING around! This as Airi just covers her shame, snapping back... "Was that really necessary Seto!" ... "No it wasn't!" ...Senia 'agrees'!

The other crew fems, just either shake their heads, hold it, or both, depending. All save... "Ah, so that is what I can try next, on Senia." ... "Don't even think of it, Amane!" ...Kiriko snaps.

Airi just puts her uniform top back on. "Whatever. The drying unit in it, is shot anyway."

": So might we be. :" ...Seto turning the mood, on a dime, Mikami nodding, all eyes turning back to official import. "The Galaxy Army, does not know, of what occurred to the Jurai ships present, I assure you myself."

"Is this about that battle?" Senia remarks openly. Seto nods. ": Quite apt. In one skirmish, a new player has revealed themselves. I for one, don't care for that. Especially with what they can apparently do. :"

"That shockwave effect." Suiren guessed at. Seto nods in holo turn. ": Whoever they are, we need to find out. We must bring the dark, into the light. Ignorance is our enemy to combat here, one I ask of your assistance of, Captain Senia. :"

Senia blinked on hearing... "Ask?" ...making Airi blink as well, as she looked over. "Is it that dangerous?"

Seto pauses, making the terse air, 'heavier', before imparting. ": Pirates don't have access to the weapons that were used. These unknowns, are something else. :"

...and this, before a second formal holo-image appears of three dimensional beauty... "L... Lady Funaho!?" ...Airi gasps, the rest in the chamber, sure were aghast, though Mikami doesn't show past her command poker face. "The same."

": Indeed. I have been monitoring, and I concur. Whomever these 'Traquis' pirates are, it must be ascertained what threat they pose, to Jurai, and the G.P. :"

"I guess the Federation, also." Senia adds in. A lot of females of respectful awe there, for a Captain to blush at. Funaho nods in kind. ": Indeed Captain. Hence why we are asking for your help. :"

Senia looks, as Seto takes over. ": This one, I will not mince words. This may be the most dangerous mission, you, and your crew, would possibly ever undertake. The unknowns are simply too many. As such, before we can command of you, and your crew, especially of your Link Bonds, we have to ask your permission. I for one, would sleep ill, if I just threw you, to the wolves, on this one. :"

Senia had all rights to gulp there. As such, after a moment to consider, he looks back, at his married crew of mates. "Okay. What do you guys think?"

We're with you, on whatever you decide sir." ...this coming from Kiriko, Senia really appreciated. The one from... "I dunno." ...Amane, not so much. Neiju, looking towards... "Can Fuku handle it?" ...before Ryoko (GP babe) flutters a hand at a reserved Amane. "Common, what's the worst, that can happen?"

Gyokuren: "You want that listed, alphabetically, or sequentially, for your part?"

Ryoko: (Censored) ...which woulda befitted either Ryoko, really. Senia just holds at his head. "Guys."

"You can count on us, Captain." ...Karen imparts strikingly, speaking for the Renzan foursome. Neiju adding... "If Fuku agrees, I'm in." ...whit to Fuku meows strong, for a chuckling Senia. He then turns to the last dissenter. "Amane?"

...of said which, then asks towards Funaho and Seto. "Will we have backup?"

": Assured. On perfect que, not as certain, depending. :" ...Funaho amends. Amane just sighs kookily. "Fine. Great. Be so certain."

Senia blinks, but then Amane just gives a thumbs up 'front', in turn. Senia nodded to his crew, and then turned back."Count us in." ...with a crisp salute.

": Thank you. :" ...both Juraian ladies of standing reply, a good bit tone of relief, from both. Airi nods, and then asks over... "How do we proceed?"

And then from the telling...

... ...

...and the after of reaction. "My. Captain Senia is a brave soul."

Ryoko, off Ayeka's assessment. "I know that area of space. It won't be easy." ...she warns, towards Seto. The Juraian nods. "I'd appreciate all you know, of the area." ...this Ryoko in a 'rare' show of outright cooperation, just... "You just got it." ...packet links her said knowledge, right to Mikagami's data banks. Ayeka sure blinks. "I'm not sure to be of one to praise such generosity, or scold you from fear of it."

Ryoko just folds her arms. Apparently 'experience', playing a key part here. Seto looks level, as Ryoko comments... "That area of that galaxy? Well... not even Kagato could gain easy access to. And when he sent me in there, that one nebula, in that sector. Man... makes black holes feel more inviting. I never did learn why."

Minaho looks over at Lady Seto... "Should we refrain, from sending the Captain?" ...this Seto keeps level, measured tone, with... "We still need to know. One way or another. One way, before the other, I hope."

...and then, as if they all weren't freaked out enough... "What is he...?!"

... ...

-Of start... Washu's Lab-

"Lookin good goody good, Master."

"Alrighty then Tama-chan. Work the initial nerve signal parameters, would ya?" ...as mirrors of Washu note, keep tapping away endlessly, at their holo-laptops.

"How much longer today, Sister?" ...a calmer tone asks, one Washu quips back, as she turns around cutely, Tokimi, not quite as so, near Washu's left... "Now now... again... lover boy still has to wait. The first emotional frequencies are being uploaded for fine tuning. I fear to tell yah, you can't be near him Astrally, until he's with us finally."

"Surprised that Sister, hasn't just teleported him here, outright." ...Toki put rather austere. Washu just laughs... "But that would kill the mood! Plus the whole bio-format, unused to matter teleportation thing, just yet. He might end up missing something... important." ...this she puts, with a kooky blush.

"Washu!" ...Tsui blinks and decries, from her holding chamber! Tokimi just equals that.. "You and your penchant for trouncing upon the lilies!"

"Aww, you both noticed." Washu... that blush isn't kosher. "Aww, shaddup, writer's block!"

"Quit traipsing the literary refuse, while you are at such!" Tokimi really blanches in. Washu just chuckles, then looks at a separate tracking holo-screen, near her. "Anyway, he'll be here really soon." ...and then pushes said holo-screen, with a finger flick, for Tsunami to gaze longingly at. Tokimi just shakes her head, as Washu imparts. "That'll hold ya, while the Masu you just merged with, begins to solidify its bond, with you. From there, it's about formatting the 'borrowed' bio-organic structures, in a normal human body, along with DNA infusions, and then attuning it to your emotional and astral patterns, Lady Sis. Piece of cake!"

Tokimi just eyes down, as Tama is seen manga RAPID-FIRE typing away, at her own holo-top. "You make it sound so easy, Sister."

"HaHA! ...not even close." ...this before Washu goes back to work. Tokimi then eyes over a swooning Creator of Jurai, (creepy, really) and shakes her head, before she feel it.

...and then announces... "I am summoned. Excuse me." ...this to Washu. "Oh sure." ...before phasing away. Tsunami blinks over. "Is it about..."

"Don't worry your lovey-dovey head, Sis. She'll be fine."

Tsunami, for a moment, just agrees.

The next however...

... ...

Seto... "How is he.."

... ...

-Nexus-

Center to Tokimi's oversight of the Dimensions, with the Third of most specific part, anymore, there, tall effidices of shadow incarnate, in ordered rows to either side, more than just five, to either side, an indicator that there were more to Existence, than just a mere Ten Dimensions. Twenty-Two might not even be the limit, given what Tokimi had experienced by now. These all framed before a backdrop of Cosmos, majestic. The foreground 'landscape, a mere platform, above whit three Choshin shadows maintain the apparent 'throne' over their charge, (even absent to such a throne, anymore. No need to thank Tenchi there.)

To be sure, the absent Dimensional administrators, were ever present, in concert with duties to other realities, and their own various means of maintaining their Realities. The Multiverse was a complexity, beyond mere words and thoughts to ascribe lower level dimensional sanity unto.

For Tokimi's impart of arrival, she adopted the nominal presentation platform, to arrive unto. "D3." ..whence a wheezened looking immortal, gray beard aflowing as much as the hair and eyebrows, a mere red in red cloak, of adornment, phased into view, before her. Tokimi didn't dally with customaries, as such D3 went to the subject of summoning. "We have found the Source, of the attack."

Tokimi slitting her eyes 'that' direly, didn't bode well. "Locational vector verified?"

"No mistake, My Lady."

"Show me."

The moments it took, to 'show' the apparent data, for Tokimi to digest of datalogical format, became ones where Tokimi took to see... "An opportunity, to cease this affair with the Powers, outright."

"Shall I send an appropriate response, for Your part."

D3 is shocked however in hearing. "My part, will conduct as appropriate."

"My Lady?" ...D3 hazards in objection, before Tokimi conducts her assertions, and phases out, to conduct the outright end of this affair.

... ...

"-sigh- More rain." ...a shmoo mortal quips, under a bust stop overhang. Having already shooed off one bus, indicating his non-intentions to ride with, he has spent the last forty-two minutes, waiting out an indecent deluge. Aleaic just sighs, looking at his beat up Casio watch. "Man, hope it lets up soon. Don't wana get to this Shrine place, too late." ...as at least two of the Shines he'd been to, had keepers that didn't prefer late comers, to make prayers with. Aleaic wasn't certain why, as the other's he'd visited/stayed at, didn't seem to mind. Still, it was in the back of his mind, that the last one he'd apparently visit, (maybe,) could end up of similar mode.

"Yeah, like I want my last trip 'to' be my last. I'd be so lucky." ...he gulped, sniffing, rubbing at his nose, hoping a cold wasn't coming on, all the while a bit of weariness was settling in, as he leaned on the inside left post, of the overhang. A look at a badly humidified interior of a bus stop advertisement, before boredom and more humidity induced fatigue kept seeping in.

And before he knew it...

... ...

Washu... "What the hell?!"

... ...

It WAS Dark here. On immediate first impression of note, as Tokimi 'arrived'. As such, Tokimi was the only apparent 'light' source, in all of Void's eternity.

Not that the goddess was fooled by it. "I know you are here, Power!" ...as she felt a vast working, uncountable souls within the dark. A festering unlike any she'd ever encountered. Even of such near akin, she herself had conducted. But this was of a sentience, that had no right to be as such. Tokimi only knew of something nigh as similar, to the monolithic hate, she felt here. And that place was an illogical paradox. This one, a seething fury of utter jealousy. It might be a place to recognize, as a mortal, before sanity was consumed by it.

Fancy words. Not fancy, the terror felt here. Such that Tokimi knew she was noticed by. "Dare show your essence, before I expunge it, Power!"

Words didn't seem to want to bother, to acknowledge her. It just writhed in raw, seething hatred, of witness. Tokimi actually wasn't fully sure, her senses 'knew' where to vector her own anger. Everywhere and nowhere at once, was what it felt like to her. And enough of that, to be fed up with such anyway. This as she FLUNG out her clawed hands needlessly, as she snapped... "Then die in ignorance, along with the rest of your Realm! I..." ...before she was frozen, seizedin place by an unseen, unfelt power, unto her dataformat, with no warning!

As such, she lost all control over her functions! "Wh... what...?"

"{{~ Pathetic. Whore. ~}}" ...the Voice in the Dark spoke.

Tokimi tried to break free. She even tried to decry her impossible condition! Only her mental faculties were allowed, only for mere fear of thought! "(Wh... what is... this? I... shouldn't be... overpowered...!)"

The unseen Darkness Monolith, just seethed in response. "{{~ Forgotten the Rules, your Vile light, is guided by? Know your incarceration, at the End. ~}}"

Tokimi's attempt to annihilate her target's entire Realm, outright, is thwarted. She suddenly realizes the impossible cause. "(N... no! How can this be?!)"

Tokimi then senses the antagonizer, 'move' towards her, in the Dark. The only impart her own vision can discern, allowed, was two flaming yellow eyes of the Dark, within an Aura of the Dark, added 'shadows' of 'negative' yellow-blood, hovering within the impossibility of the same. That was what the Hatred here, comprised of 'sight' here, all on its vile own. Something in it, chilled Tokimi to the code of her existence! Worse on hearing...

"{{~ Indeed. The Azure Whore is 'not' the only one, nor you of your kindred VILE, are alone in discerning temporal rape! All that foolish restructure, taking away here, merging another, playing her morose game of regaining my Nemesis to ply with. Such by blind chosen mistake, is how I garnered the Counteractor, discarded from former 'owner', as if were mere refuse to be forgotten.

Such as how I, acquired it, OF this entire Realm! FOOL! ~}}"

Tokimi manages to strain her voice past a 'familiar' restraint. "Such an impossibility... to accomplish! You are in... violation... as a Power, to..."

"{{~ INSULT ME, as if I am of those wretched Scum?! ~}}" ...this as Hate echoes in the reverberating Dark! Tokimi disbelieves in heed... "Wh... who...?"

The yellow-shadowed Dark decries to ever certainty. "{{~ They whom wrought that Empire that scalded the Darkness, and took MY Antara away from me! Eons of strife I laid before them, to sunder them all apart! I whom wrecked the works of sick glory, of the so called Light! I who desiccated the soul of my Nemesis in so doing, CURSE the Powers for remaking the Nemesis! Curse them for causing my flight to chase, unto this Dimension separate! Froth all my Ire, for their attempt to recreate, to save all those uncountable souls, that were all MY slaves to befit all agony!

I, who found by chance, experiments of the Nemesis returned, when MY realm was being used, just as I had reclaimed it! I who then put black flame to Sentai! I who SHOULD have raped the Cerulean Whore and her Weeds, on chance begotten, then thwarted by my Nemesis. -rising howl- CURSE HIM FOR EXISTING AGAIN! ~}}" ...another shattering howl in the Dark, making Tokimi feel of a thing, such as fear, never before felt of the like! Very much despite herself, of certain. The anger 'revealed' just how VAST, the Dark truly was. A mere Realm, or even a Plane, this was fearsomely nigh more of!

As such Tokimi stammers out... "Who... who are... you..." ...trying to control her emotions, losing that, on sight of a 'Dark' energy flame sword, of some illogical kind, being shoved into operation. And then such... "{{~ Of certain, your Death. One Equal, to the Counteractor! And to You, of the Vile! My Blade 'made' of such, will sunder you now with! ~}}"

"((~ Indeed. ~))" ...another voice, seethed out in the dark. However 'this' one, had a bare smudge of lighted haze, to see by. Of sight, and sound alone, Tokimi nearly went insane with! "No! That's Impossible!"

And a Blade, hefted to kill a Choshin...

... ...

...which was what Washu just suddenly felt! Washu... "No! Tokimi!" ...as Tsunami felt no less, of the 'response' that occurs. Especially on seeing, what Minaho decried of, of on high sight of, at the same moment, Tsunami sees. "It's too soon Beloved!" ...Washu shoving her head over at...

... ...

...and he was asleep. In that calming rain, a place where the mind falls into the subconscious, a place dreams occur, that normal mortals never believe in, once awoke up from.

And for an intended one, where the truly unknown something 'inside' of him, 'ever' so noticed, events occurring, beyond his normal ken to consider, currently. Of note of this, and assuredly not seen by mortals external, save for those with specific focus, was when...

"Not... cool..." ...as he started to 'glow', from within, as a random stray ray of sunshine, peeked through the silvery clouds pouring, at that moment. Conjecture at that moment, 'would' only guess, what it all was. But it, for a moment...

... ...

"What's that light?" Tennyo quips randomly, as the farming group, at the Masaki fields, look where queried of. Tenchi blinks, as Noike eyes off kilter, at a sight, only about four something kilometers away, over a flat hill bend... "Is that sunlight hitting something, way out there? Rather bright reflection."

Tenchi, cocking his head. "Though all that rain? Gee. Hope Washu isn't doing something again."

Some bemused chuckles, that impart that 'they' were not of feeling, what was going on. But soon enough, Tenchi suddenly senses... and then they all do... "What the?"

... ...

Tokimi never knew fear of death before, such that should have sliced her through!

The Blade that should have done so, halted, on realization of, as the Darkness sensed what was occurring. As such so vectored unconsciously! Such the 'other' decried... "((~ It's him! That distracting Fool! ~))"

Tokimi then heard... "{{~ Sai'HON! ~}}" ...before she realized the Counteractor, had lost enough focus. She snap reacted with it! A split in split moment, where she TEARS through her entrapment, as if a chain that lost tension, and in succession, SNAP phases out, 'and' 'detonates' a subspace fissure, targeted at the representative frequency of this realms 'gate nexus points'! Before her assailants can react, Tokimi is gone, her desiccated strength, sapped from the Counteractor, but enough 'damage' done to make a temporary bulwark of sorts, against a now known Enemy. If all but in name, at least.

The moment after of realization, there is no scream, howl, or cry, of the failed attempt.

All there is, is a nigh emotionless Hate, that lowers his blade, and festers there, upon it.

Such 'all' is done. Save for... "{{~ All as foreseen. ~}}"

... ...

The bunch of rubber bands that snapped in reaction, at the point of snapping at the break, they all came, save for Sasami (thankfully,) as Tenchi stared at.. "Why is she..." ...a still recovering Tokimi. One actually having to sit on the seat, Washu was using prior. Nearby D3 was present, using a form of a 'healing energon globe', to assist his Mistress with. D3 imparted... "You were down to 35% of your stable trans-format, Mistress."

"That was really rash, Toki girl." ...Washu really made of formal chiding, as Kiyone (GP) eyed warily. "Wh... why is she..." ...this as sight of Tokimi, is of one that had been desiccated, towards the state of undead. Her face showed enough of this, as Mihoshi just... "Eww... that looks gross." ...before Kiyone and Noike just snapped back... "Not the time!"

Obviously, even Tsunami was near, as Tokimi just related... "I admit, I am a Fool... as I was called by that... thing."

"What thing?" Tenchi asked next. What Tokimi related next... "Something... that nightmares run away... from, in horror. I fear saying such, would be of one... that would... enslave terror, if to add to such already present."

"Sounds repetitive." ...Tennyo commented next, unsure how to interpret what was spoken. Such that causes Tokimi's mood to turn riled. "As if I care for that!" ...hence her right 'claw' then reaches at, and crushes a random Washu-esc mechao-orb, with eye twittering sparks and metal screeching. Washu just decries comically! "H... hey! Break your own stuff already!"

"You saw him then?" ...Tsunami betrays to her own realization. Of an iota as yet unsaid. Tenchi asks over... "You know who it is, Tsunami?"

Tsunami meekly teardrops.. "Ahh... oh." ...she droops her posture a little, before Tokimi alludes, to some serious dry throats, around. "Whomever this wretch is, it has the power to nullify our own powers, as goddesses. It has the Counteractor, at this wretch's command."

"The Counteractor?!" ...more than a few knowing, yelp!

"I... I thought... Misaki..." Tenchi remarked, Washu accenting. "I thought we got rid of that annoying deal, with the rewrite bit."

"If only, I assure." Tokimi starts, Tsunami sighing out. "When we rewrote the script, as it were, we managed to sever Misaki from her fate, as the Counteractor. This to make Sasami's fears unfounded, in a future sense of stability. However..."

"Destroying it, is another matter." Washu just bemoaned, Tenchi looking between the three Choshin, as much as the others do. "And this... person, found it then?"

"This being..." Tokimi takes over, as D3's work, makes better faculty of her visible features. "...apparently has the same 'ability' somehow, we Choshin base our existences from. It may have known where the Counteractor ended up. It's usage thereof, was apparently unilateral, given I could not locate how it was activated, beyond the unseen source."

"Unseen?" Tenchi again, Tokimi worse... "That place. I could only operate by my barest senses, seeing of a nominal format, was deliberately abstained, as if being a being of any light there, was a crime to that Realm. The... hate, within it." ...she then looked Tsunami. "Sister, we are as blind to our apparent foe, as 'that' place is, of some form of natural measure. Dark... as it all is." ...dropping heartbeats around another pulse.

"Speaking of... him... is difficult." ...Tsunami remarks, clearly trying to not address the subject. Washu actually accents... "But what Tokimi just dealt with, even if dumb to do..." ...sorta, to Tokimi's comical chagrin, Washu amending with folded arms in nominal Science Academy garb... "...makes it illogical to hold back what you know Sis." ...this Tsunami still looks pensive, about to decide 'against' her fear laden judgment, when...

"How'd you get away?" ...Mihoshi asks, Kiyone (GP) actually nodding in concert. (Hey, planetary alignments happen too, occasionally.) Tokimi sighs, holding her lavender right 'hand' to her head, as an apparent headache, overcomes the choshin. (Unsure there, if she'd ever had such a thing before. Ever.) "As I was about to be struck... down... the beings..." ...Tsui blinking at hearing that... "...seemed to have become distracted. Whatever it was, caused the assailant to call out 'Sai'Hon' in response, more vehemently... he..." ...she stops when, to the other's quick realization, when Tsunami is suddenly poking at her fingers. (Even could hear them squeaking.)

"Ahh..." Washu realizes, though Tennyo is a bit behind... "Um... why one weird name for... wait..." ...she realizes quickly enough, this Washu realizes... "Where did he get... eh? Ah!" ...as Washu sees the holo-sight of a shmoo, walking in a decent downpour now. Everyone sees the holo-screen, where indicated. Washu just chuckles... "He'll get a cold, at this rate." ...before she hears...

"Wait... that light from before... was it...?" ...from Tenchi. Washu gasps, and then 'rewinds' the image, at a holo-top command.

... ...

...of what those aboard the Mikagami see, of all prior. Ryoko... "What the hell?" ...of the light that came over the shmoo that was being watched. Of what was being 'felt' at that moment, Ayeka... "Is... is that Jurai's Power?"

Minaho and Kanemitsu look in awed unease, as Seto can only remarks... "Not quite... there's something 'else' to it."

At that point of 'distraction' missed, is when the 'show' snap fades, as a moment later, the unknowingly studied over, blinks awake...

... ...

...and a moment after shaking some cobwebs away, he growls at himself, and then a parted sky returning to full cats and dogs torrential. As such... "Aww come ON! Quit it already! Awww... fudge and butters." ...as he then hefts his backpack comically to rear and stomps off in a kooky huff, into the rain, back onto his Journey's end.

...course it only lasts another five minutes, before 'something' worried about a cold, setting in. (Maybe 'halted' a bit too quickly, at that. And also 'sorta same' for the wind bluster that helped dry him, helping him cool off, of his main extremities, that he complained of too.)

... ...

"What?" ...Tsui quipped. A 'bit' of humming there, from the watching lot. Tokimi... "Thou is consumed in hopelessness." ...whit Tsui just raspberries back.

"Hope, more apt there." ...Washu counters, Tokimi just shaking her melon. Tenchi however remarks to the prior information alluded. "So... wait, that guy suddenly glows like a... ah..." ...Noike helping... "...a newborn star, and that saved Tokimi?"

Kiyone gluing the pieces... "So that means this 'Sai'hon', and that Aleaic is..."

Minds and faces are confused from there, as Washu looks over at... "Something about a hundred and fifty thousand years too, if we all remember right. Or is it even further than that? I know about the First Emperor of Jurai, but this..."

Tsunami just gulps, and then shoves down all those memories again, relenting finally. "I was hoping to belay the truth for awhile. But if... he... is coming."

"Not for some time." Tokimi interjects, eyes looking on then hearing... "On my escape, I blocked all access transfer points, from that... place, to our dimension. It'll take some time for that thing to escape. Unknown if where ever that is..."

"Vasier." Tsunami inserts, the first 'truth' revealed. Tokimi nodding, her facilities nominally restored, D3 looking now as much as the remainder. Tsunami then imparting, her memory of past events, meshed between those that Tenchi's clan had wrought, and suffered, as much as her hidden own.

Now to the reveal of... "You'll have my trust in this, if I'll have your ears and minds to endure by. This of a place called Sentai. A Tree that existed before Jurai. A love that flared and lost, before a Monolith of now even Tokimi's Bane."

Enough told to the gathered, but not all.

Too much, not said of open tale... yet.

(Washu: "Don't you hate it, when authors get all secretive with plot lines?" Tenchi: "The guy is doing it for love of writing, ya know." Washu: "Indeed. And on chips and Ramen too." Tenchi: -chuckle- )

"I see." ...comes a choshin impart, when enough of the Tale, is regaled. Tenchi just gulps. "Dang."

"After that long, huh." ...Mihoshi quips, rather apt on the hearing. Noike then nods. "I get it."

"- Yeah yeah... -" ...come in as a teleport beam deposits Ryoko and Ayeka, into sight. Ayeka complimenting Ryoko with... "Then we should too, try our best to accept."

"Ahem." ...come from a suddenly peeved (to most other's wary eyes, save Toki and Tsui,) as Washu just quips, less than enthused. "Who said Seto could just teleport you two, right into my Lab, like that? At least knock first!"

": Why Little Washu... :" ...a fan holding Seto image, pops up next to a neutral Washu... ": ...whatever could you mean? :" ...before popping back off. Some warbling bare teeth, all around, as Washu just sighs. "Remind me to update my transport barrier protocols."

": You can try. :" ...a Seto-esc image pop-up, then off again, to Washu's frazzle!

"You got my vote." ...comes without warning, as tones of fem based corneas, see Tenchi sport a good smile, towards Tsunami. She smiles on how easy Tenchi is, to be accepting. "Thank you."

The next in grumbling turn... "Great. So we go through this all, with this guy."

The further in royal-esc tone... "Oh no, dear Ryoko. You of course, can hate this Aleaic's guts, while Lord Tenchi and I, greet him with open arms. And from there, Tsunami and Aleaic, will have Lord Tenchi and I to cheer for them, and our combined love, will grow ever so strong. It works out best, for everyone, don't you see?"

Ryoko... something under her muttered breath, about Ayeka, and the center of the Sun... or something.

Tenchi then rouses everyone up... "Let's get ready guys. He'll be here soon."

Noike... "Not too soon. Look." ...as eyes then train on a decently dry Aleaic, suddenly now in a new scene of trying to help get a cat, out of a tree, for someone. (One of those boy scout moments, mentioned earlier. Upside down on a branch, while so doing.) This making for a next in quick turn of eye look, of Tsunami, suddenly in a 'sailor-esc' outfit, reminiscent of a 'Pretty' anime. All cheerleading as that. "You go Al! Woot! Woot!" ...making with pompoms at that.

Might be a few teardrops there, in witnessing.

"Oh! We should get a picture of that then!" ...a ditz then voices out, and before... well, as Washu/Noike/Kiyone/heck, everyone that knew better... "DON'T TOUCH ANYTHING!" ...and Mihoshi... "But it's just a picture." ..and presses a random button.

Never knew one could he launched out from a subspace lined hatch, by a TORRENT of holo-pictures. (At least Tsui was in heaven, that they were all of Little Aly.)

... ...

"Here you... -SNEEZE- ...eyyaghh..." ...causing the cat in his hands, to BOLT out of his hands, and into the owner's! The said middle aged lady... "Someone must be talking about you." ...this as Aleaic just bemoans, with a sniffle. "Got me who. Might be the rain too." ...another sniffle, one a hiss-mew comes back at him with.

"How about a warm drink, for your help." ...the lady offers back with, Aleaic accepts, and from there, is a part of a chance meeting with Taro's parents. A 'related' matter, that takes up a couple extra hours of the soon in coming afternoon, worried of.

Enough time, unintendedly, for another 'related' matter, to finish preparing. (And Sasami to get home in time. How she got through Science, with what 'happened' to her senses, as well. Gee.)

And finally, two plus years and soon enough later...

... ...

"Who knew pictures could do that. Heh." ...Washu quips, literally finishing 'sweeping' all the holo-pictures away. (Using a boom, seemed odd.) "No worse than your writing tact."

"Oh." ...distracts Washu, whom looks over, Tokimi now absent, the gang upstairs in various places of the Shrine, leaving only Tsunami in her bio-tube, to see, what Washu then does...

"Ah, he's finally here."

Washu then saw something on Tsunami's face, that would make it 'all' worth it.

... ...

What Aleaic saw first, on approaching destiny, was halted by a traffic mirror, as he rounded a bend on a traffic bare roadway. "Man, I look like a wet slob." ...as he tries fruitlessly, to make his neck long hair presentable. (About a good year without a proper barber. He didn't feel the need to, somehow.) He takes one gander at it, then sighs, and shrugs. He then turns, and heads to...

...a stop, about eight meters later. "Ah." ...as he wonders, at a Tori gate.

... ...

"Here we go." ...a bento fan closes.

... ...

"Must be... it." ...said with a tone of a journey, at its end. Aleaic looks up into a stairway, to a point where the far above trees occlude further sight of detail. He takes a couple of steps up, off the roadway, and then stops, taking a moment to lean down and feel at the cracked steps themselves.

"Old. Real... old." ...said with an apparent appreciation for what he was feeling. Old, worn, kempt, venerated. Done so long enough to be noted of such, by two focused beings, he didn't know of. (Three if you count the invisible camera-orb. Add some extra eyes there.) One that appreciated a youth of appreciation. The other, behind him, that same face that Washu is seeing, (The orb just accented.)

Soon enough, Aleaic stands back up, looking about, then looking behind him. (If he ever knew, at the time.) "Guess... all behind me, is that too." ...this before he just bonks at his own melon. "I'm doing it again." ...before he turns around, and takes the first formal steps, on and upwards.

Two hundred and thirty-six steps, he counted somehow, while looking all about, as he advanced. After this, a long bare path stretch, that led to an opening in the forest, one noted with note, of the hill rise he ascended. From there...

... ...

The sounds of cooking, now heard. The living room area was occupied by a few, Kiyone's duce, one working on GP stuff, on a holo-tablet, the other, playing a 'coo' game with Mayuka. Despite all earlier at that, Tenchi and his crew head back to the fields, as Kiyone (GP) comments... "Guess we don't need to do much, for this guy." ...Kiyone (mommy,) noting over... "Well, we 'are' supposed to keep plain appearances, as father told."

Kiyone (space babe,) just shrugs. She then hears Sasami calling for prepared ingredients, for Mihoshi within to dole out, within the kitchen. Beyond that, just some mid day waiting. Even Ryoko and Ayeka weren't present, preferring to be with Tenchi, (and to impart certain 'things' to Ryoko.)

Kiyone (mommy,) just plays with Mayuka lovingly, as the GP version quips. "Heh, gonna be weird, seeing Ryoko walking, for once. Not doing her usual stuff, around here."

Kiyone momma just blinks, "It won't last a day." ...this Mayuka just giggle-burbles at. Kiyone (GP) just snickers. "Make it an hour, knowing her." ...making for a few giggles.

"Oh my." ...suddenly comes from a suddenly present Genius, at her open Lab door. The Kiyone duo looks, the GP version... "What are you doing Washu?" ...before the motherly version... "Oh!" ...sees out the front foyer windows...

... ...

The path turned to grass, turned unto a strange greeting gate, such Aleaic hadn't ever seen before. This he blinks... "Gee. Really spiritual place, I... guess." ...this as he reaches a most interesting gate, one with these twin... colonnades? Statues? Something big, fatly rounded, moss covered, wooden looking, with one having red Kanji on it, the other blue. He manages to read off the two, below two glass covered openings, near the top... "Ah... Azaka... Kamidake...? Um... kay." ...this he looks over the twin iotas, for a moment, and then for no reason, other than his own... "Ah... excuse me great guardians. Shalt I pass of the, unto the Shrine?" ...this he bows, thinking them some guardians of some sort, giving a greeting of his own, for a cute, if needless reason, he thinks.

And as expected, nothing, in return. This he just shrugs, (not knowing the Astral giggling, behind him,) and passes by, leaving the inanimate...

...eh? "Huh?" ...he stops, and looks at the Kamidake 'guardian', thinking it 'turned an eye' on him, or something. Such was his gut feeling, for a fleeting moment. However seeing all akin of the same fixed state(?) of the statue, he drops it and moves on.

(And sees not the teardrops, in left wake.)

From there, he comes upon a wooden walkway, one that apparently is also a pier, to Al's eye, as off his left, a large lake, can be seen, a part of the walkway pier, extending out into the calm blue waters. The open sky of broken silver clouds, reflect serenely off a pond, that only has occasional breaks for apparent fish within, biting at the occasional bug. Sight then turns to the next obvious note, as... "Wow... big house." ...he stops to look at. A red roofed, two...no... three? ...er... story dwelling of size. Size to be sure, that has it's apparent windows darkened to his eye. Aleaic just shrugs. "Privacy, even out here, one guesses." ...as he (by now, so noticed within,) takes a few further steps forward... "Is this the Shrine? Can't be..." ...as he starts to look further for...

... ...

"Wow." ...Mihoshi comments, before her mouth being covered by Kiyones to either side. Washu and Sasami, are now apart, Ryo-ohki on blue hair of head, Mayuka held up by Washu now, as they all hide behind the large couch, just ahead of the Kotatsu table.

Kiyone (GP) just judges on first physical sight of the shmoo... "A bit rough looking. Though..." ...she tries to 'see' what Tsunami is. Washu next to, just quips... "Something of that, has my sister's eye. Guess that's all that matters." ...before they see Aleaic stop from looking over at the lake, and then pans his vision over at the windows. This of course causing the ladies to all ZIP their heads down, in comical reaction! Kiyone (GP) suddenly realizes this, and spats out... (of a whisper,) "Why are we hiding like this?"

Washu: (same whisper) "Cause it's what peepers like us do."

"Great, we're peeping Tammy's here!" ...Kiyone 1st Class decries. This as Aleaic has moved on a bit. Sasami then looks up, seeing the 'obvious', behind Aleaic's path. She smiles. "Tsunami's gonna be so happy."

And the vocal reaction to that, was a 'louder' than wanted, Mayuka based giggle-blurp...

... ...

"Thought I heard a kid." ...Aleaic looks back, (not seeing a kith within, being hand gagged by five different hands. (One of them, a cabbit version.) The tinted windows defeating proper looking anyway.) This before Aleaic is out of sight, which to unseen, Mihoshi quips a bit loud ("That was close!") ...before she's plain gagged by Kiyone. (Guess which one.) This all as Aleaic reaches to the other end of the house, a few more steps taken, to see off of lake rounded distance. "Huh... looks like a farm here too. Or someone's farm. And... ah!" ..., and then some surrounding forest that one could easily get lost in, before he looks to the right, and sees another Tori gate, and more... "Guess those must be it." ...he trails eyes up a decent distance of more steps, then looks back at the house. "Weird. What's this house for, if the Shrine is up there. Huh." ...mulling said for a moment, before looking back, and then 'feels' a prod for his legs, to carry him to the second stairway.

One hundred and twenty-four, this time, split in landing sections, though all count harder to garner, as his sight was allayed better of scenes of height. Enough to see some rather large fields of some crop, the left hand hills rising, occluding further. And after enough said steps taken, the count to himself ends quickly with. "Ah. Masaki Shrine, me'sa presume." ...as he reaches another more elaborate Tori gate, and then the apparent Shrine grounds beyond.

The place was sure old to him. An apparent living area of some form, to his left, the detail of the structure, confirming that this was a Shrine Office, probably more. (And another look back down, at the residence below, wondering.) And then a look ahead, seeing details of the shrine, laid out before him, of note, ahead of him, the formal Shrine itself.

As such, Aleaic just sighs, and then looks behind him again, this time at the middle afternoon sky. The occluded sun, was low enough now, to close in on late afternoon. "Great. I had to rescue a cat, and I'm late now." ...he presumes to himself. He then feels 'something' uneasy, to his senses, before he looks back, at the Shrine. He shrugs, hefts his gear A.L.I.C.E. straps, and walks to the Shrine. He makes good loud impart of... "Hello? Anyone here?" ...he says, expecting a greeting from a Shrine priest, or tender, getting neither after a good moment. Another hello call, nets nothing else, before he then sees off the right, past the Shrine structures, another stairway set, that goes past off sight, to even higher hill vistas. He stops, looks around, back at the unseen residence, and all about. He then shrugs. "Huh. Must be out. Odd." ...this as he decides to 'go for it', and takes off his pack, laying it down, and approaching the Shrine.

A Shinto honden of decent, if reserved size, a kami of what deity, uncertain to Aleaic, enshrined within a large shrine temple. A few trees not yet of formal budding to the warmer season to come, surround. A simple place. He decided to keep his prayer simple. Such that he begins to so do.

As simple such... 'Thank you for this journey Kami, now at the end of the path. Where I go from here, I leave to your wisdom. All such before, and now, I have none. This I pray for guidance, and further well being. Thank you.' ...of such, not so simple, as it would turn out. This as he opens his eyes and sighs...

...and notes someone, off to his left! "Eh? Ah... ACK!" ...he bounces one back with! This as a clearly presented Shrine keeper, stands before him calmly! One that eyes Aleaic patiently. Aleaic just chuckles, hand in the cookie jar-esc... "Ahhh... ahahaha... ah... sorry.. ah, for the late hour for... yeah... praying... yup!" ...his nervousness rattlingly apparent. (Knees too.)

A moment later, only a 'hmm' sounded from the elder keeper, Aleaic just looks himself, blinking. One soul looking through the other, the said looked at, seeing the keeper in a simple white and gray yakuta, standard looking wooden sandals, plain enough up to a facade of age, that obviously belied otherwise, to Aleaic's eye. A decent length, gray, bound ponytail, and some form of reading glasses, where piercing eyes of brown, look through with. Probably a Gonsekai, or even Sekai, Okayama at least, for the Prefecture, of most.

"Um." ...Aleaic at a point of 'now what', bumbles out with.

"So you're the one." ...the elder comments. Aleaic blinking... "Who? Me?"

A simple nod. Then Aleaic realizes with a sudden bow with. "Ah... I'm... ah... Aleaic Sa... SalOAm... er... Saloam... Kerenska. Pleased to meet you." ...he recovers with. And the elder gent reciprocates. "Masaki Katsuhito, of the Shrine, the same." ...this Aleaic pieces together. "Masaki Shrine... family run, I see." ...he (believes) hazards, of his own part. The elder just nods, adding. "I may also be addressed, as Yosho, to be simple." ...this Aleaic bows again. "Yosho-san." ...this another nod. (And an unseen giggle.)

And then Aleaic hears... "Your prayer, is not an offense, young Aleaic-kun. In fact, it was expected, given your journeys."

Aleaic blinks. "Eh?"

Yosho doesn't... "You've made a well and true following, of all your footsteps. All the way from Nekomi, for certain."

Aleaic makes a bad habit of blinking... "I have a following? Who would do that... uh... sir?"

"More, than you know, Aleaic-kun." ...Yosho imparted.

Aleaic just snickers despite himself. "Heh. Haven't been called 'kun' since my Nanny..." ...he trails off, a bit too mindful of the past. It's accented by Yosho with... "More than just that. I've taken an interest of your journey, myself."

"You have... er... sir?" ...Aleaic stutters. However before more can be asked in turn, voices start to float up from the lower stairway, one Aleaic looks toward to... "Um, more petitioners?" ...this Yosho snickers, Aleaic sidelong looking, before seeing a 'few' details.

As such, in an appearing gaggle, a young male with short, cropped spiky black hair, with a pony-tail, in a simple everyday outfit of patterned brown, light brown and dark brown. A Pur... eh?! Purple haired female, in a kimono of lavender accents... and a short, green maned second female, in a work shirt and slacks combo. And then a... eh?! White-blue-gray-... er... light blue green... cyan...? Er... spiky?! Eep! Dressed to scare, off first impression. And then a silver haired female, dressed for outdoor work as well...

At the cusp of the stairs, all apparently talking, two of them arguing in even those first few noticed seconds, that Aleaic sees and gulps... "Perhaps I should..." ...he says...

"I told you, you should not have dug the ground so hard, ground hog." ...ala purple hair...

"Hey! At least I was working, lazy space trash." ...weird spiky one.

"Not here guys! We just... oh!" ...the black haired soul comments, hefting a broken farm hoe of a sort, that then sees Aleaic in the eye, as Aleaic is seeing the busted farm implement. This of course causes the cloistered lot, to look, and Aleaic feeling rather stared at. "Ah... um... okay."

"Great." ...the spiky haired one gruff out on seeing, and getting an elbow from the green haired lass. Rather rough, from apparent note. Aleaic just remarks... "Perhaps I should..." ...he starts to excuse himself, about to reach for his backpack...

"Is that him, grandpa?" ...the lad of nigh equal age to the blinking Aleaic, asks. The elder Yosho nods with an... "Yes Tenchi."

Now eyes are upon him, and as such, Aleaic almost felt like judging, if he could survive the jump, from the Shrine, to the long fall below! He manages 'somehow' with instead... "Ah... h... hi? I'm Aleaic... kun... Kerenska... kun... something and kun ."

It at least made the other females unnamed to him, giggle in response, around. As such in turn, this... "Hi, I'm Tenchi Masaki. Kun too here, I guess." ...this Aleaic quick snap bows in response to Tenchi's own. He then notes off still raised eyes, in bow, that the purple haired lass of apparently regal aura bows... "Greetings... er... Aleaic. Kun, right? I'm Ayeka Masaki. Pleased to meet you."

...and such is (competed?) bowed in turn, by the spiky haired one. "Yeah, kun-boyo, Ryoko's my name. Tenchi's my game!" ...this said Tenchi moans at. Ayeka in turn... "Your game is drinking the planet dry!" ...and getting raspberried in comical response. And a nigh nuclear response in turn! Aleaic just eyes warily, as in turn... "Greetings, I'm Noike Kamiki Jurai, sir kun." ...and... "Tennyo Masaki, greetings kun Aleaic." ...this Aleaic sees in bowed offering each.

Aleaic just chuckles, commenting. "If my Nanny could be here to laugh at me, for all that." ...this getting giggles in response. This before... "Do you have to be so rude, in front of guests?" ... "You're still a 'guest' here too, par for the course Ayeka." ...hence some eye-bolts traded, with Tenchi helpless in between. Tennyo and Noike then chiding at Ryoko to behave, doesn't seem to lighten said personages mood any. Aleaic takes a hint off of... "Perhaps I should really excuse myself and..."

"You have a hidden spirit within..." ...this the lot hear, Aleaic blinking moreso, given whom is such said unto, as Yosho looks 'right' at him now. Tenchi... "Grandpa?" ...the elder hardly dissuaded, to Aleaic's growing consternation. "...one with a door, something hidden behind it. A lock upon the same, not as yet ready to be opened, but still, nonetheless, it is there."

Yeah, Aleaic is creeped out. This as the stares between kun and san, grows ever more curious, (or annoyed,) all the while Yosho is 'more' than visually aware, of the 'other' spirit in presence, one with her eyes...

"Is she..." ...Tennyo almost blurts, Noike elbowing her in turn, the Tenchi lot, 'seeing' readily, as what Washu had seen a good while now before, had not changed one iota, on the invisible facade of Tsunami. One where truly happy tears, dribble down, as she stands there, a truly happy in joyful smile, looking at 'only' one kun, in presence. This all Yosho sees, and knows to proceed from there, for a warily Aleaic to turn fearful of...

"This lock, it is not as yet ready, to see the light. One I know you pray to, each morning, Aleaic-kun."

"Er..."

"However, the journeys you have partaken willingly, with all joy and learning, have made that lock, and your soul, ready to be accessed. Thus, your journeys have set you upon, as your beginning. And now, you are ready, for the next step." ...Yosho finishes.

An eloquent... prophecy...? It was met with a squeaky... "Um... okay." ...he could only nod. However his mind was already 'yelling' at him, that something was wrong here. He then heard next... "Oh my." ...from Ayeka, he looking, before then also seeing, this Ryoko, huff stiffly, and look away.

Before Aleaic could ask further of anything from there, he heard... "I hear meowing?" ...questioning his own mind and hearing. This in turn, as another voice reaches the parting group, Ayeka remarking. "Ah. Sasami." ...this Aleaic seeing a familiar sight, one with better detail of some light freckles, and dressed in a kimono-ish halter top of such, slacks and shoes of female colored nominal. This as the said heard 'Sasami', reaches and... "Hey guys, dinner is almost ready for... eh? Who..."

And in a kooky four point two second moment, Aleaic and Sasami realize, and just POINT at each other! "You!" ...ala both! The accented 'meow' atop Sasami's melon, is forgoed for a moment, as Noike and Ayeka both chime... "Her?" ...accuse. Aleaic just hears... "He walked by my school today! That was a cute cat, you were petting." ...this Sasami just giggles. This then as eyes back on Al, just makes him moan... "Uh... was just... waving at her... yeah, going to jail now." ...he slumps.

This causes Ryoko to snicker-snort in guffaw. "HAHA! Serves you right then." ...this even Sasami joins in. "Ryoko!" ...from the fem gathered! Ryoko of course just about 'leaves', before Tenchi senses with some unseen Washu 'aid', and nabs Ryoko's arm. (One Ryoko readily blushes at. One Ayeka RILES at too. Aleaic sees, and starts to get a 'connect the dots' sense.)

And then another meow from atop Sasami's head, makes Aleaic look... and then look. "Ah... um... wait one. Is that...? What is that?" ...as eyes look where Aleaic points, and Sasami just beams out. "This is Ryo-ohki! Isn't she cute?" ...and another sponsored meow accenting. Course it's not the sound Aleaic speaks of, it's the... "No... what... is she?" ...package.

Ryoko actually takes up, teasing at Aleaic in so doing. "What? You never heard of a cabbit before? Loser." ...this Aleaic blinks at, gloweringly. "Uh... isn't... that some folk legend thing? Like that... er... -fingers snapping- ...Jackalope. Yeah."

"Not on this planet." Ryoko adds, and gets SHUSHES all right at her, save Yosho, and a blank pip eyed Al. "Er."

"Perhaps a meal, will settle your nerves." Yosho offers then and there. Aleaic notes and hears: parasite, from Ryoko, such he attempts polite retreat with... "Um, perhaps, Yosho-san-sir, I'd be better off away from your... auspices of interfered with. I should..." ...this a decent 'worry' unseen behind him, reacts.

"Please stay." ...comes in turn, from Sasami. Eyes look at her now, as one set (well two,) of pink eyes, stare at his hazel version. This as Aleaic eyes take from an unknown mother, as is his will to cave in, from an unknown father. As such, a second... "Please."

...like a house of cards... (timber.) "No fair."

"Then let us take in a family feast. Sasami's cooking is a delight to the senses, even way up here. Assure Aleaic-kun?" ...this Yosho offers, and Sasami just giggles, with most, (save one) in presence, smile at.

Aleaic just looks over, lost looking really, and just nods robotically.

And from there...

... ...

"Andromeda Galaxy huh?" ...a Captain walks through a generic GP style cafeteria center, his crew in concert with him. Kiriko nods... "Looks like the Iopea Arm first, after we pass the Intergalactic Gate Line. We'll be close to Fungesian territory, so we might have trouble."

"Why?" Senia asks, Suiren commenting off top of memory. "Jurai and Fungesia are 'not' on the best of terms. More of a grudge of egos, but since the GP are 'too' close to Jurai..." ...accented by actually her bumping Kiriko away from Senia, to a narly glare in return. Amane 'accents' with... "So is Renzan." ...and bumps Suiren away! A bunch of GP verses Renzan stare off, saved when Senia just warbles out. "It's gonna be a long trip. Guess we better get stocked and setup, before heading off tomorrow. And I guess keep rumor to ourselves, about our mission."

The comical moment, then turns professional, as the Kamidake II crew then snap too, and salute. "Aye Captain." ...showing their mutual love, had truly grown respectful as well, by now. Equal parts to Senia nervous chuckling, as he then salutes back. Ryoko then actually looks over to... "Maybe we can use some dark line contacts, to get some heads up, Gyokuren." ...this the said silver lass nods. "Wise, for once..."

"I'll get the supplies squared away." Kiriko notes, Karen and Neiju accenting to help. From there, various duties the crew dispersed with. Senia then scritches his head, and then realizes... "Oh, I better update the navigational charts for Kamidake." ...and starts to head off... "Er... which way? Oh yeah!" ...and then heads off.

All the while being watched, by a bounty hunting pair, partaking of a drink, and carrot each.

(And Senia finds getting out of the GP Navigational-Comptroller section, difficult, given all the lonely, female GP types, in there.)

... ...

...a lot of the Clan to meet. A lot of females to eye, as well! "Oh dear Light."

In short turn, the aforementioned are greeted for a numb Aleaic, of several missing facades, back in the same residence below, passed by before.

Mihoshi, waving like mad. (Nothing happened to Al there yet.)

Kiyone, a 'friend' of Mihoshi, not as visibly appealing to the designation, as Yosho offered, Tenchi accented, and Aleaic cocked eye at.

Kiyone, Tenchi's mother, and other than the light lavender kimono, is a SPLIT clone of Tennyo. (And said as such ZILCH by Aleaic, on first meeting.)

And then Washu, boy, the spiky hair thing is popular, said as such by Al, and a few snickers at Ryoko/Washu's expense. The.. "That so." ...from Washu, arm folded and all, made Aleaic wisely about to... "Maybe I should..." ...but interceded by a kiddy squeal. Aleaic sees in Kiyone (mommy's) arms... "Ah, a kun of my kin. Er... yeah." ...such some formal giggles around. From there, with some 'prodding' a meal is gingerly partaken, if done a bit early for the evening, though talk starts as the 'appetizer', as...

"So many ladies in presence." ...Aleaic quips, to the blunt obvious. Yosho, sipping some tea, before meal, quips. "Blame Tenchi, for that." ...this Ryoko and Ayeka just stab fingers at... "Blame her!" ...well. Tenchi just snickers, as Kiyone makes of daughterly comment, unto her motherly stature. "Oh Father? Whom begot my place first then?" ...this Yosho quips. "Tenchi as well, as of current." ...this some snickers about, ply in. Sasami calls in Noike and Mihoshi to help finish dinner prep, as Aleaic then denotes... "And of 'whom' begot that little jewel, of fatherhood?" ...noted at a squealing Mayuka. And to Tenchi's chagrin... "I did!" ...Ryoko-Ayeka sponsored.

Aleaic just blinks, Tenchi quickly chiding... "Guys!" ...both blip-gulping at in realization. Aleaic then heard from Tennyo. "She's a... special case. We love her all the same." ...this Aleaic sensed of something 'off' of import, such he didn't push. "Okay then." ...making for a few light sighs there. (And a mind made up, nearby, at the table.)

And then to make an outright, kooky act of it. "Let's see if she likes you." ...this Washu actually 'injects', by taking Mayuka from a glowering Kiyone motherly, and bout just plopping the tyke, in Aleaic's arms! "Ahhh!" ...a few worried tones, ply out, for a moment, before Aleaic maybe acts Mary Sue here, and just then realizes. "Oh." ...to cradle Mayuka, just right, to a soon in comfort coo. The bunch blink, as Aleaic has 'experience' to back up his act. Soon, a blue tufted tyke, looks a little too comfortable. Tenchi accents. "Wow."

Aleaic realizes. "Sorry. Guess all those years at the Orphanage, got some stuff like this, in my melon." ...as he looks Mayuka over. (The blue hair on her, makes Al wonder.)

"You came from an Orphanage?" Kiyone (unknown GP) asks. Aleaic nods readily enough. "As long as I remember. Ah." ...amended as Ryo-ohki bounces over atop Mayuka, meowing happily, before he's nabbed as a toy again, to a number of anew giggles/chuckles. "Bad move kitten." Al quips.

"What about your parents?" ...Mihoshi, plating down some food, asks before realizing, such she realizes as... "Mihoshi!" ...quite a few scold, to a subject Aleaic readily has a pensive facade of. Yosho just eyes over calmly, as Aleaic just sighs... "I... don't know. All I remember is the Orphanage. Can't remember anything before that. That is... um..."

"Good going." Ryoko actually quips at Mihoshi, a twittering Mihoshi apologizing... "Sorry." ...before Aleaic feels his back become warm, a mind unrealizing his right hand is 'holding' at his right shoulder. This before he then blinks and quips... "Why's my back warm?" ...as he tries to look behind him. Some unrealized giggles around, before Aleaic changes tact. "Nuff about my sorry tush. How bout you guys?" ...this his request, is regaled in turn, with an 'abbreviated' story for the gang, one propped for this scenario expected.

Ryoko and Ayeka, old school 'competitors' for Tenchi, Mihoshi soon after. Washu moving in from out of town to keep an eye on Ryoko. (That part sure annoys Ryoko, obviously.) Kiyone and Noike, latter seen at points, helping plate more and more food, (And Al's tummy getting more growly,) their story covered as police officers in the area, cooing Al's piqued interest. It's not helped with Mihoshi calls out she's the same, MUCH to Kiyone's and Noike's chagrin. Aly woulda asked then, but then Mayuka gets squirmy, and Washu takes back Mayuka, but then in turn, Aleaic is treated to the 'motherly battle', for Mayuka rights, over a rock-paper-scissors-blaster game. Aleaic just offers his version of 'dynamite', that gets some kooky laughter around.

"Talk about a draw method." ...Tenchi, ala Aleaic smirking. "Yup."

Tennyo, Tenchi's sister, details simply left at that. Yosho, obvious already noted. Sasami, Ayeka's sister that followed, their own parents, 'out of town', such Aleaic saw too often, in his own travels. Added to that iota, Tenchi's own parents: Nobuyuki and Rea, both Aleaic was told come by, every so often. The way such was put, made Aleaic presume he'd be around to meet them. (He wasn't sure of that, at all.)

And then the turned table with tome upon, Aleaic is asked of his own tales, Yosho accenting his journey. As such, Aleaic started at the Orphanage again, being one, and then later helping taking care of, the young souls residing there. He told of Sato, Rei, Nij, closets of age and friend mates there, others come and gone, adoptions or 'dropped off', and their abbreviated stories. (The fact, Rei and Sato were a 'known item', for their teenage age, was a semi-amusement bit, concerning the uncommitted duo.) There was talk of Aleaic growing up with assisted schooling, the rough games the orphans played with a tough as soul nails Nanny, some of the trips to nearby places. Tokyo and Edo are always popular. A childhood trip to Paris, of all places, got some eyes raised. The rest of the Orphanage details, are bland and muted, overall, save for hobbies like sword play and art, over a long, youthful age.

But then comes mention of the unexpected dream one early morning, that led to a week of increasing same, before Aleaic 'knew' somehow, it was suddenly time for him to leave the Orphanage. And then Nekomi, altogether, to a sad impart of a Nanny, that really did treat Aleaic, as a son. The parting one before sunrise morning, that started the Journey, was as quiet and muted, as one could make of such. From there, two plus years, and meshed between visits and stays at the other nine Shrines, all Shinto of kami, throughout Japan, and Okinawa, uncountable sights, meetings and family vigils unexpected, all along the way. Before the learned ways of 'roughing it', were days, and too many nights, learning how to work with simplicity in keeping one rested and mindful. (Especially recognizing not to be a squatter on someone's property.) Odd jobs here and there, along with side adventures that kept belly full, and senses clean. A Shrine at each stop, learned from, had its own quest like adventures.

The story of the debt race against some rough rousing bikers, at Tanaka Shrine, was a keen one to note. One with biker bullies messing with the priestesses there, a race to make them leave them alone. (And Al learning to ride a bike, like mutant quick on the fly.) And even a thrown Molotov cocktail, literally thrown in, before a race completed in victory. (Some bared teeth, on hearing that one, at the table, and one interested fem of rough, eye cocked.) The end there, a Shrine made safe, a biker leader flunky, in a rather restricted sized jail cell, after that same cocktail, damaged a nearby art presentation, and a Shrine then begot from, by more of... "Teal dreams."

"Eh?" ...Tenchi quips, as Aleaic just offers out, head scratching, heedless of his behest knowing any better, for a moment. "Every time I stayed in a place for awhile, there would always be these... teal... dreams... guess one could call them, that would keep driving me onward. Never really knew 'what' they were, just that... wow... they made me almost... passionate, to continue the journey. That was the fourth Shrine stop, Tanaka, along the way, and 'every' time I slept at night... -shrug- ...there they were. Just went with it all, I guess." ...he stops just trying to figure all such, once again. Some eyes laden at the table, started eying back across to others. Aleaic then just shrugs. "Meh. Guess that might be stopping now. Now that the journey is over. Not sure what else I'll do now. Guess at least, I'll head back to Nekomi, and take over the Orphanage farm bit." ...he chuckles at, guessing at his own future.

One shanghaied away from him. "I offer you something better." ...this to... "Grandpa?" ...Tenchi family eyes look at, as well as one not of the family. That was until... "Pardon Katsuhito-san?"

And to certain consternation of the group at the laden table now, Sasami in presence now, as well, Yosho looks at Aleaic and states. "As I said before, your journeys have a lock, ready to be opened. I therefore offer you a place in our home, as a formal Guest, of the Masaki Shrine. A reward, for your journeys, and likely, more."

"Swell." Ryoko barbed in again, though Ayeka accents... "Br... er... honorable grandfather? Why so, for this offering?" ...Aleaic for sure amends with... "Y... yeah! Er... sir?" ...this Yosho quips, rather calm. "Of your ears, not open enough, on hearing?"

"My mind, not understanding." Aleaic really counters with. It made for differing versions of pensive faces, around the table. One set of pink eyes, were as 'of' another's, as Yosho even offered. "The invitation is yours, without fail, young Aleaic Saloam Kerenska... kun." ...that didn't bring about any half laughter with. Aleaic just rummages in his mind, for a way out of a sudden 'trap', he feels himself in.

One 'offer' of dissention comes from... "Freeloader." ...this in spat turn with... "Are you really going to ever not be a rude demon?"

"Only till I get Tenchi all to myself."

"In a pigs eye, pig!"

"Royal pigs taste good cooked, you know!"

Your brand, only pigs themselves would eat!"

"Guys." Tenchi warbles out. Aleaic just fingers between the two. "Is... it always like that?"

"A lot." ...comes from 'all' around, save for a peeved pair of fems. Finally some chuckles, but not enough to dissuade Aleaic from... "I really shouldn't take up that offer. I don't belong here." ...which makes for some cocked eyes around. (And 'one' growing more fearful, on each belaying syllable.)

"I... guess, it wouldn't be a problem." Tenchi offers, measuring his words. Aleaic just shakes his head, trying to ignore the assault upon his nostrils, from the laden table, trying to be (for his own mindful sake, he believes,) reserved. "Um... I haven't done anything to deserve to be here. And even so, I'd not do so, without my part doing all manner of work here, to earn a keep not my own, for certain!"

"Oooh!" Ryoko suddenly coos, seeing the 'escape from chores' value, changing her mind. "Okay! He can stay!"

"Don't even think it, crone!" Ayeka chides Ryoko for the 'obvious' there. Ryoko... "Too late."

"Help with chores, would be most welcome. Quite so." Yosho appreciates of Aleaic's offer. Not that Aleaic halts from raising a finger. "I said not, I would so do! I would have to agree to... which I haven't!"

"Stubborn one." Noike judges. A few eyes judging Aleaic 'better' and 'ill', all the same. Aleaic counters... "You really want me as another mouth to feed here? I'm high maintenance too."

"Chores and sword training, can alleviate both." ...this Tenchi 'and' Aleaic blink at, Tenchi remarking. "You want him, in our sword sessions too, Grandpa?"

Yosho just nods, Aleaic looking back at his backpack, where his worn boken lain meshed to the side of left. He then looks back at... "Yosho-san? Even if I only had the basic instruction?"

"More than that, as I have noticed." ...this Aleaic really looks at the elder with. 'Just how much has he been keeping tabs on me?' ...that 'could' have been answered to, unto probably Aleaic BOLTING out the door with. Yosho, instead, just nods, Aleaic looking for yet another tact to extricate himself with. Being rude, and even rising and stomping out, came to mind.

It's all destroyed with... "I think it would be really cool, if you stayed. I really don't mind, feeding another." ...Sasami pleading, even more adorably than before. Aleaic... "But..." ...as it soon seems obvious, the rest are of Sasami's and Yosho's 'camp', about everyone with 'come on', and 'please' and 'we don't mind' cascading, though the look and loom from Ryoko, was of begrudging acceptance. Not enough there to find leverage on, for Aleaic to combat now.

And a second (fourth really,) "Please." ...just caves in the cards again. Not that it's helped, after he sighs, when his tummy recognizes the spread, for the aromas, all about smashing his senses, and then his tummy just grumbles loudly. Aleaic just looks dry, and smacks at his abdomen. "Bad belly." ...to some giggles, all around. Aleaic then just gives in... "Okay. I'll take up the most honorable offer... er... offered." ...this garnering some appeased looks, at the table...

"However." ...for a moment. Aleaic then inserts a clause... "I reserve the right, to leave anytime, if I feel such is warranted. I cannot predict the future, you all should know."

"Oh, that depends." Washu quips, a few 'shush' sounds, at her suddenly. Aleaic's suspicions rise again, as Yosho amends... "Then Shrine, and residence, need plenty of work. You will not find your time, very idle." ...this Aleaic makes for conjecture, but his belly really kicks at him this time. "Ow."

"Let's eat everyone!" Sasami quips in victory. A good party, about to start, before Tenchi... "Prayers first." ...that Aleaic readily is positioned for. Ryoko, though... "Man, again? Can't we just eat?"

"You'll make everyone mad. Please do so Ryoko." ...this Ryoko rolls her eyes at Ayeka, and joins in well enough. Soon enough, bellies are full, and sights abound of Aleaic witnessing the 'nominal' sight, of the Masaki Family meal. One without the usual antics, as Ryoko is 'kept' grounded, Mihoshi somehow not causing any causality-bending moments, nor sight of less than normal to human sight, of sights of choshin, to ply upon the otherwise, festive scene.

And in midst of, Aleaic's artistic flair is demonstrated, when asked of further hobby interests, and his laden backpack is brought over (with a good heft,) and the charcoal drawings within, displayed. That made for impressed coos, all around the table. "They're so alive." Kiyone, both, about remark, on top of each other. Aleaic's stories of some places, like a hillside vista, overlooking Wakkanai, that first winter of the Journey, as he waited out a good two day storm, with a benevolent Wakakishi family bunch. Not quite as large as the Masaki's here, but not far off. However it's the picture, a bit 'too' detailed, of Mount Zao, off its Southwest side, that garners... "Is this an eruption?" ...from Tenchi. Aleaic just snickers, about the only one so doing. "Yup. Was camping out near the top, one night, on want of just wanting to do so. And then I was awoke up about..." ...looking at his own watch, for memory measure... "...some, two o'clock in the morning? Must have been a pyroclastic flow, off to the north, but saw enough ejected magma, to well define in the dark, I tell ya. Heh." ...this sure equaling the bike story. Some of the table laden eyes, eye 'one' uneasy personage, most translucent, as Sasami asks. "Weren't you scared?"

"At first. More a thrill rush after, when I realized the eruption didn't come towards me." ...though he adds... "Swore I blacked out, at one point, during it. Weird. But..." ...this eyes really look at Tsunami's Astral image now, for probably a number of reasons, all the while Aleaic just shrugs. "I... never really felt in true danger. Don't know why. Plus, it was just... cool... to watch what nature could do. I had all right to die. I didn't. I'm still here. Guess here at that, even."

"Most interesting providence, indeed." Yosho puts, making for the lot looking around, at this point, food more in favor of sake' being passed around. Sure needed it, after 'that' volcanic tale.

"I guess, where the wind takes you." ...Noike put in, Aleaic nodding, as much as anyone. "Or the waves." Ryoko actually snickered in. The reactions to that, just confused ol Aly.

From that, sake', and bad singing. Aleaic joins in, and proves lousy, on his own. Some light pastry desert snacks with the sake' and Ryoko succeeds stealing more from Al-kun, than anyone else. (In fact allowed, since a part of making appeasement, diplomatically.) Ayeka's own however, Ryoko is made to combat, with ferocity again. Moreso when Ryoko tries to hand feed Tenchi, Ayeka tries to beat such to the same, to Tenchi, and of clobbering Ryoko's own, all ending up in a lime-o-limbs pile. Sure made for confirmation, though Mihoshi trying to help Tenchi, gets her 'merged' in the screaming pile. All through it, Mayuka laughs, when awake. As such, soon darkness is entrenched outside, and Washu 'allows' Kiyone, to motherly care Mayuka to bed, gently.

Plates are cleaned up, Aleaic helping as part of his first duty, though more than carrying in, is refrained from, my the Sasami led kitchen ladies. (Sasami, Noike, and Tennyo, though Tenchi helps too tonight.)

Some small talk after, Kiyone (mommy,) never seen again that night. Washu just 'vanishes', distracted from, as Yosho asks about Aleaic's semi-schooling, and told details about the Shrine itself. Ayeka and Ryoko soon 'excuse' themselves outside, after another standoff, Yosho just telling them to play nice. They aren't seen again after, though Aleaic swears (even not so cleanly of mind,) that he sees flashes of light, outside in the dark. Even a slight 'tremor.'

"Storms, and an active fault line here? Odd." ...this he quips, as Yosho sits apart from him, leaving 'space' for Aleaic to sit alone. (If not quite so.) Eventually, weary eyes start wandering their sake' filled bodies, to a slumber to come. Yosho excuses himself, and Kiyone (GP) shows Aleaic, the rooms upstairs. It's there, the first 'odd warning signal', hits his mishmash mind. He swore (not openly,) the upstairs area, felt larger inside, than from outside. He's shown to a bare, unused room. Kiyone just bids Aleaic a good night, and he's finally 'alone'.

Never heard. "All yours girl." Kiyone whispers, that first night, soon dead zonked out herself, even too much to worry about Mihoshi's feet, out of her covers, at the futon bottom, again. Sasami and her group, are the last heard to head upstairs, and then all is quiet.

Aleaic, his backpack with him, uses a rolled out matt-roll, and sleeping bag, to make for bare furnishings, in an otherwise empty room. He finds, however, no light source, nothing to plug into, just a dead bare room. 'Am I in jail?' ...he wondered to himself. The slide door opened, so nay 'there'. A window that he could look out, even poke out. (Apparently unknown 'additions', didn't interfere with window operation, in 'that' room.) From there, he just plops down, his mind edgy enough to not allow sleep.

He 'did' feel a bit of being watched. He wasn't sure why. It added to the edginess that kept him awake. (Not that the soul watching, very much near him, seemed to mind the tacid effect, upon him.)

As a result, he just sighs at one point, and goes about to 'get it out', as he was used to. An LED camping mini-lamp, his journal, Pen #27 of worn in measure, and a flip over onto his belly, on ad-hoc sleeping bed, and proceeds to make a nice, simple, calm...

... ...

- March 20, 20XX (Pen... nevermind!)

WHAT HAVE I GOTTEN MYSELF INTO! -Some anime tear streams, might make this all smudged later-

I mean HUH?! I get here, and I get told my soul is some lock?! What am I, a mental storage shed?! And the way that Katsuhito-san talked to me, it HAD to be from some kind of stalking, I never even dang well knew about?! And then this place?! Largest family bunch, I've ever seen! (In person.) And 'that' many girls in one place?! That 'one' time of month, must be rough! (What if the times my Nanny acted, and some other guest places, I'd managed to deal with. I... anyway...)

Suka was right! What is with them all in this place? Mah nanny smacked me on the head to be proper and all such to the ladies, but one has to note details, when seen to not believe?! First off: This Ryoko? Mihoshi too! The ears! They look more like elves, than humans! And that 'cabbit'? What's a CABBIT?! Not quite buying the 'legend' bit there.

But maybe more, and I could 'feel' it, this Tenchi bloke... really nice guy and all, but... even I could feel the vibes, when they talked about each other, and Tenchi. They love him! I see it! Man, HOW did he... what is he... I...

Um...

-A minute before...-

Something is 'off' here. It's in the back of my head. After all this time on my own, kinda got used to listing to it. And 'something' in all those odd feelings, and dreams... there's something here about that, all 'here' too! I can't explain it.

-another... three...-

This doesn't feel right. I don't. I... I 'know' I'm not all right! Too much to put down here, but really... I... don't belong here. And why the sudden invitation, from someone I 'just' met, doesn't make ANY logical sense!

-another minute... some waggle tapped pen marks, appear-

They all got something here. I don't know what. They got something real good going on here. REAL strange, but... real good. I get that too here.

-another minute more... more pen taps...-

I can't stay. I didn't earn any right... privilege... forget it. There's no real logical... or any reason to stay. I mean...

-another two minutes... for 'some' reason.-

Maybe the scariest thing about all this, is this... Sasami... the way she was pleading. I felt trapped. Feel. I don't like that. It felt as if something... hidden... was behind it. No harm I would presume. Not sure what to make of it. AWESOME food, though. I'll need to work, run, something it off tomorrow...

...if I stay. I...

... ...

A bunch of other thoughts, just sighed out, losing steam, (with 'help',) just stops his Journal tirade. Aleaic looks over at the shut slide door. He gets up again, wobbles over, opens, looks out, listens, (thinks he hears talking,) sighs, and shuts it, and heads to lay back down. On his back, he just bemoans... "And I left the shoes at the foyer. Man." ...looking at his wiggled left sock.

As sleep finally nabs at his mind (with 'help') he just remarks... "Why... am I..." ...the 'here' part, flittered of unto sleep of embrace.

And sleepily 'assisted' later, he snores...

All of watched... (And mindful.)

... ... ...

-GP Incarceration Station GXU-78349.74/D-

"No! No please! Please stop! In the name of... AHHH!" ...a blade of energy, decapitates with.

The owner strides past another... "{~ Pathetic guard. ~}" ...as a Dusk tone walks past. The last of victims, that too many lain behind, all in cauterized stumps, as the assailant left them. The robed stranger of ill intent walks past many, many special confinement cells of unique make, about of each, looking only for one preferred cell, of target call.

This one, robed and cloaked in dusk, dark gray tones, ones that made this person more of a photographic negative, than of any true color, was cowled the same, hiding his glowing red eyes. What caused them, was conjecture. Those that could have seen, are all dead now. None were alive to tell, anywhere in the known universe. Those that 'have' seen, were not of the proper definition, of living. They tended to be more powerful, than this one. They, whom set this one, on his saccloth task.

GP standard hallways, all passed now, with no soul to stand against him, to run from, to warn even with. The artificially circulated 'silence', was all that was left. Soon, 'that' wouldn't even be, at that.

This as the Dusk One, just stopped at where he 'sensed', his goal lay within. This as a mere attempt at opening the cell hatch, denied, leaves only a swift slash of a snapped on blade, snapped back off on crumbling of cell door.

Within, a sight of a wheezened old fool, that once served a Choshin, lay within a hardened gel block, exactly as left, when he was thrown in there. All save the head, that was blinking, saying nothing at an unexpected sight.

The Dusk, and the prisoner, trade a look.

"Sooo... you were sent, from my dreams."

"{~ Clay. ~}" ...only responded with. The 'Octopus' bearded smirks. "I have already agreed. Like I need more than revenge, to satisfy me. Oh yes."

A deft snap-slash, cleaves the entrapping block away from a Doctor, one that smacks to the littered cell deck! "HEY! Watch it!" ...before the freed Doctor Clay, starts to stand. (And then plops back down!)

"Blast it! My legs are all dead!"

"{~ As this place will be. ~}" ...the Dusk one turns, this before... "H... hold on!" ...the said 'savior' turns with, Clay managing to get to all fours. "Did you free the others?"

"{~ Not my objective. The Master has little use for them. ~}"

"Other than as a distraction to the Galaxy Police?"

The Dusk one cocks an eye, within the cowl, revealing the red eyes, are 'not' mechanical. With that... "{~ Prudent tactics. ~}" ...and turns to SHOVE forth a pulse of dark POWER!

Clay sees, and starts to hear countless cells, on the six 'story' length station, begin to clank open. Clay then smiles. "Never overlook anything. Isn't that right, dear Washu." ...with a sneer.

A dark teleport beam whisks them away. Soon, a full scale prison escape, covers all tracks. (Six procured GP vessels, on a local rampage... got ugly for six weeks.)

... ...

"Morning Ryoko!" ...at 0532 Okayama Local Time.

"Sasami." ...a former space pirate calls down, from her rafter 'bed' spot. This as Sasami bounds down. Ryoko... "Where's Ryo-chan?"

"Sleeping with Mayuka and Kiyone." ...as she rounds the bend, to the kitchen. Ryoko just shrugs, and goes back to her long ending night of thinking. Hardly one for needing sleep, she goes back to thinking on their new 'predicament'.

"Ryoko." ...a second voice comes down the stairwell, Ryoko just notes, not even looking. "Noike."

"Still hating his guts, I see." ...such the return, making Ryoko spat back... "And you sound like your adopted mother."

"I'll take it as a compliment." ...the former GP, and currently Juraian 'fiancé' to the still sleeping Crown Prince of Jurai, puts forth for her pretense. Ryoko just grinds her teeth, but says nothing. Noike just heads in, and a better greeting from Sasami, cheers moods back up quickly. Ryoko, on hearing Sasami's voice again, as breakfast is about to begin prep, quips. "He better be worth it Tsunami. I dunno."

It's like that for awhile. Kiyone of GP also, an ignored greeting unto Ryoko returned, more cooking. The light of spring, passing by 0642, when the aromas turn pungent enough.

And a motioned shadow, makes Ryoko blink. "Hmm. He didn't stay."

... ...

Tokimi didn't get it still, though a twinge was entering her auspice, as she looked at the sleeping form of a newly guest offered mortal, and the 'blanket', that was all about wrapped around him. For his part, some really enjoyed slumber, up to that point.

"Sister." ...Toki finally whispered, not sure what she was feeling. Even the proper words, weren't there yet.

"Sooo long..." ...Tsunami trances out, seeing what she wanted to see. Feel nearly. Almost to taste, if she went 'all the way', as far as transitioning to physical, would merit. And even some 'other feelings', barely mushed down, under barely held in check knowing.

"Is he worth... us? Worth you?" ...Toki had to ask, more for her own uncertain part, more and more.

"I told my tale of him. Of us."

"Not of all." ...Tokimi floats her astral form, to kneel to the other side of a slumbering Aleaic. Tokimi then notes. "Where begot his nasal clarion?" ...which Tsunami interprets. "I did not want his snoring, to wake the others. Such not a problem, anymore."

Tokimi cocked her lavender eyes. "Quite rash a motion. Not one I disapprove."

A light choshin giggle of Jurai creation, before a sudden stir from a mortal, makes for another quirky breath held, by the choshin. Toki even Astral-chibi blanches... "Why do we act this way Sister?!" ...to another teal giggle.

And as usual to interrupt. ": Hate to break you way Sis, but... it's time. :" ...ala Washu... ": Little. :" ...ergh.

Tsunami sighs. "For now then."

": And when done, you can hog tie him down, all ya want, as a complete mortal sub-type. :"

Tokimi just jitters an eye, as Tsui giggles, and Aleaic becomes 'unsettled', for a sleepy moment. "Sister! I hardly think such actions are warranted, 'just' for you to experiment on one of us with!"

Washu just holo-blinks. ": Actually I think you have that backwards. I experiment so that she 'can' do so. Warrants are a GP matter, not ours, ya know. :"

Tokimi just... waggles her clawed, angst filled fist, comically. ": Little... Washu... :"

"Until my time of proper coming." ...the other two Choshin hear, as an Astrally glowing Tsunami, pecks Aleaic on the sleeping cheek. A smirk from both, before hearing... "And then, all proper to not escape me. -giggle-" ...and then both choshin teardropping.

And at that, Aleaic is 'alone' again.

(But not before... "Maybe I can just shag him, one time before... nay! Toki! Gimme two hours! All I... OKAY Sis! Stop pulling the hair! Alright!..." through a portal. Aleaic is sleeping-shivering for some reason.

Gee, and you thought Ryoko was bad. As bad, anyway.)

... ...

Tennyo had begotten up soon after Kiyone (GP) went down to help cook. She said her hellos, Ryoko ignoring even that, as she was so deep in thought, as she then went outside to the Shrine, to greet her grandfather. So soon enough done, all the way, at the top. Yosho, already at the crack before dawn, greets. "Good morning daughter." ...Tennyo just smiling. "And a good morning to you, grandfather. Number 8,576, by the way."

Yosho blinks. "You keep count of that still?" ..toned comically neutral. Tennyo just smirks. "Why Yosho-san, I'm still first, your granddaughter. I keep track of such silly mistakes."

Yosho just snickers. "The 'san' part, is new. Already taking after our guest?"

"You offered him a place here." ...Tennyo giggles out. Yosho just nods. "I offered a chance, to gain that, which was lost." ...Tennyo looks in hearing. "A chance?"

Yosho nods.. "Mmmhmm."

And then... ": You might just be losing that chance, father. :" ...as Minaho's image pops up. Any further is dissuaded on sight of... "He's not staying?" ...as three sets of eyes, holo or otherwise, look to a second floor window, where a guest form, just waggles at the edge of it, for an ungainly moment. The fall is worse.

": What a waste. :" ...Minaho judges again. The gruff 'grunt' from Yosho, makes for Minaho's image, JUMPING to hide behind Tennyo! ": Ahh! Sorry! :"

"Brave niece you are." ... ": Oh hush it Auntie! :"

"This one, is ready for his first lesson." ...the Shrine keeper imparts, and then starts to saunter on down, after an already up, and on the faster seeming, ready move shmoo, around the still dusk residence.

The reason for...

... ...

'Hazed TV-esc static images again. A coloration of dying sunset. The feel alone is tragedy, suffused in the mere hints of note.

Smoke burns, off of burning cities... landscape... too unseen... too much dead. Too many. And in the haze of a 'dream', something dark before sight. Something very much wanting hate to flow. Death to reign.

Voices however, do not accompany. Sensation of something horrendously wrong, becomes of instead. The 'image' before said sight, apparently decrying at the 'dreamer', most angrily. No... worse... than... angrily...? K... kill... me...? Kill... her...?

NO! YOU...'

... ...

Bolted from his sleep, Aleaic was, a good bit before Tennyo awoke. It took a few good moments to gather wits. His heart, grabbed at, as it beat like it would burst from him. Never having felt such... "Wha... what... what was...?" ...he gasps in between stutters of ignorance.

Eventually, he stills his heart just enough, to hear voices. One rougher in tone, two others more lay, or succinct.

"I can't... stay." ...he makes of snap judgment, wiping sweat from his face. (Eww.) He then looks around, remembering what was present, and what wasn't. He gathers what belongings he has, and puts on some extra rubber sandals, he keeps for emergencies, or very hot weather.

"(Can't disturb them. But... they're awake. How do I...)" ...he thinks, checks his watch, blinks at the early time beholden in liquid crystal, and then considers. He then realizes, looking out at the nearby window. "Not a first time, so done."

A moment later, seeing the height he is really at, with bare approaching light. "First time for dying." ...and looks back. Then something of that... dream... causes him to forgo common sense. As he starts to extricate, dropping the bag down first, hoping the grass muffles the sound enough, he then goes of his own lack of self preservation, in favor of escape. "Can't... oof... stay here... gotta... I..." ...he nearly yelps, as grip starts to slip, past the body fulcrum point, where gravity has too much control. And he suddenly plops to a stuff enough landing.

"Ow, butt... ow, butt... owwiee..." ...he manages to (supposedly) be silent of. He then makes a quick look around, a look at the Shrine, (and eyes seeing him already, obstructed by the hill rise to the Shrine,) and makes quick, if silent, book of it!

He then makes like a bad Shinobi, just being (hardly) sneaky enough, to slip with the shadows of the dark, (and noticed within,) as he makes quick extrication to the weird gate. He stops at the twin gate logs (in his mind,) and sighs. "Sorry. Better place without my..." ...a lot of self-deprecating words, halted, for further escape to the first stair way. (And seen there too. If he knew at the time.)

Aleaic makes(?) it to the stairs, and with a cool nip, biting at him, he stops to settle his pack in place, the sandals as comfortable they would get, in weather cooler and more humid than they were made for. By far. Such as he starts off down the steps... "I'll buy new shoes in town. Bout to lose them anyway, in a month." ...thinking of how much walking he'd done in them. He then also realizes... "(The drawings. Ah... eh... more of them later, back home.)" ...not missing a step.

The first halfway down the steps, was rather silent. A quick moment where regret seeps in. He sighs, silently knowing not saying goodbye, was dishonorable. He shakes his clear of that selfish mumbo... "(I'm thinking of myself too much. They're too good for me.)" ...and starts to head down the middle part of...

...where to his right, kneeling on a rock.

Yup... "JEEZE! Ah... dang it sir..." ...he realizes, obviously caught.

"In a hurry, young kun?"

Aleaic just sighs... "Um... home. I'm sorry. I don't belong here." ...and about to step forth.

"Are you always so certain." ...an elder's voice finds Aleaic's ear, way more willingly, than Aleaic himself thinks. Aleaic pulls back, and looks straight into Yosho's eyes now. Something in them, unnerves Aleaic's soul. He lightly decries... "How long have you been... following me, for, sir?"

"More than long enough."

"Why offer me a place here, to someone you just met?" ...the second challenge, just as answered to the first with... "For what I told you. I offer that is not so easily given. It took much from you, from what I have seen in your travels, to allow you the given chance, you wish to throw away now."

"It feels wrong." ...Aleaic remarks to Yosho, and countered... "That would be your guilt, talking." ...with nary a raised tone, of any of it. If anything, Aleaic had the sense, the scolding he was getting, reminded him of... "Nanny." ...he remarks, Yosho knowing 'more' than Aleaic had to say. Such as the fact that in rare instances, did his nanny really ever raise her voice to him. 'That' made it clear, the different kinds of scolding there were. Different kinds of wisdom too, he was told by Nanny the same.

Part of him wondered, as Yosho then actually offered, shifting his feet cramping stance a tic... "I will allow you to leave, if you really do wish to do so. However..." ...Aleaic looked over, head drooped downward, Yosho making it clear... "...past that gate, where you were found in welcome, you will leave, to never return. Such is a consequence, of the choices you make. And of the hearts of those, you will lose chance of."

"Hearts?" Aleaic raises his head, more incredulous of tone. "Of me? Tenchi has all the love deserved. Me being here hurts that. I sense that. It's better if I did leave, and..."

"Even if there is one, that loves you?" ...Yosho really makes Aleaic stumble aghast! "What?"

Yosho only nods, Aleaic looking away. Too many emotions at once, swamp his mind to think clearly from. All the same never knowing he's under 'assault' from within, of a morose source. A flicker back at the dream, one Yosho 'senses', and raises an eye from.

Tsunami's long connected will, helps Yosho understand better now. This all quite watched now.

"I don't want to hurt anyone." ...he whispers out.

"Down that path, and you will." ...Aleaic hears, seeing the stairs, meshed into the still darkened forest. At that point, Yosho just hops off the rock (and fights a BAD cramp, trying to remain dignified,) and walks off with... "Up this one however..." ...and leaves it at that.

Aleaic is left alone to decide from there. A good minute and fifteen, before he looks back...

"(Who... would ever love me?)" ...up at a rising light, of a dawn scene, seemingly mystical of an appropriate moment.

And there... "H... Hey! There you are!" ...a trio of formats, start to come to him. Aleaic just stands there, mixed of mind numb and uneasy feelings, as Sasami, Tenchi and Noike approach. Tenchi... "There you are Aleaic!"

"Ah..." ...Aleaic barely gets out, sidelong , before Sasami on reaching... "Aleaic! What are you doing here! You're going to catch a real cold, out here at this hour!"

Noike, a further beam of 'light'... "Breakfast is almost ready too, Al-kun." ...Aleaic turned fully to face. Tenchi sees the face given... "You alright bud?"

Aleaic thinks, and then looks back down one last time. And then...

"Now. (Goodbye Nanny.)" ...and then feels himself pushed in the back. Sasami... "Oof! Man you ar heavy! Let's make you heavier!" ...as a guest is then led inside, where much of a family Awaits, to a mortal's surprise. A halted apology before he's pushed in, and joins in a breakfast frivolity.

The first of many.

... ...

But all not before... ": A war with many fronts. :"

"So that's what I was feeling." ...an unlikely pair of allies remark, as Aleaic is being pushed to the greeting below. This as Ryoko was watching, from the roof. As in half way phased through it. Good thing Al wasn't looking up. Screaming away for Nekomi, coulda happened, if so seen for real.

Ryoko then comments... "I thought Tokimi said all the access points were sealed."

Seto, the other watching, holo-wise, remarks... ": This enemy is very crafty. We may have to expect the unexpected, at any moment. An annoying prospect, to be certain. :"

"Guess we won't be bored."

": Try to keep your antics to the grounded type, for now. :" ...which made for Ryoko just comically blare back... "And don't you try to marry him off to Tsunami, already!"

Seto just laughs her manic usual, as Ryoko huffs, at the holo-pic closing.

Ryoko then just shrugs. "Might actually get fun around here too." ..and then phases back in, to actually act somewhat normal, for that day, coming down the stairs, taking a barb from Ayeka for being lazy, barbed back in turn for Ayeka being a priss. See? Frivolity. (At least kept to words, for now.)

For about a week, as it turned out.

... ...

The dataload on her desk, had actually gotten taller, since she started.

"Oh come on!" ...a tuft of green hair, poking above the stack of datapads, decried!

Mikami just used the whip on her. "No more hooky."

-Airi's ship exterior: 'Yosho! Save me please! OW! Watch the whip!'-

... ...

Yosho: -SNEEZE- "Oh... sorry kun."

Aleaic has rice, all over him. At least Ryoko laughs well and true. (Till the Washu hammer.)

(End Act II)